Disk device

ABSTRACT

A disk device includes a disk playing section provided with a pickup reading recorded information on a disk and a rotatable turntable mounting a disk, a damper section supporting said disk playing section to float and a rotatable base section which disposes said disk playing section through said damper section and which forms an engaged section by an engaging action and an engaging section which engages with an engaged section. The invention is further characterized in that when said base section is rotated to a disk playing position, said engaged section is adapted to engage with said engaging section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of international ApplicationSer. No. PCT/JP99/03319, whose international filing date is Jun. 22,1999, the disclosures of which Application are incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a disk device. In particular,the present invention relates to a disk device adapted to operate aplurality of disks selectively without using a detachable magazine.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005]FIG. 104 is a schematic cross sectional view showing the maincomponents of a general conventional disk device adapted to operate aplurality of disks selectively. FIG. 105 is another schematic crosssectional view of main components.

[0006] In FIGS. 104 and 105, reference numeral 1 denotes a magazineloading interchangable disks and 2 is a disk drive section. The diskdrive section 2 comprises a disk motor 3, a disk clamp hub 13 providedon a shaft of the disk motor 3, a disk clamp 4, a disk roller 6 providedin the magazine 1 and transferring disks 8 transferred from the drivelever 5 driven by a drive means (not shown) to the disk drive section 2,a drive shaft 9 fixed to a housing 7 which supports the disk drivesection 2, an inclined plate cam 10 which operates in direction A in thefigure and being driven by the drive means, and a vertical guide plate11.

[0007] In the above disk device, when extracting (hereafter selecting) aplurality of disks 8 loaded in the magazine 1, the drive shaft 9,inclined plate cam 10 and vertical guide plate 11 are respectivelydisplaced. The disk rotation drive section 2 is displaced in thedirection B shown in the figure to determine the position of the desireddisk in the magazine 1.

[0008] Since the type of conventional disk device above arranges a diskloaded in the magazine 1 and a disk rotating near the disk drive section2 in an orientation in which the disks are completely independent in aplanar region, the problem of the length of the disk device arises. Thatis to say, the dimension D of the device is increased as a result.

[0009] A device as disclosed in JP-A-63-200354 for example has beenproposed to solve problems such as the above. FIGS. 106 and 107 areschematic cross sectional views of a lateral cross section of maincomponents. FIG. 108 is a schematic cross sectional view of an uppercross section of main components.

[0010] In FIGS. 106, 107 and 108, reference numeral 19 denotes amagazine loading an interchangeable disk, 21 is a disk motor, 22 is adisk clamp hub disposed on a shaft of the disk motor, and 23 is a diskclamp.

[0011]26 is a disk roller which transfers a disk 25, which is ejected bya drive lever 24 driven by a drive means (not shown), to a disk drivesection and 27 is a subordinate roller which operates in an opposeddirection to the disk roller 26.

[0012]32 is a pair of inclined plate cams which engage with a pluralityof trays 31 in the magazine 19 and which operate so that when a diskdisplaces in a lateral direction, a gap E at least having a thicknessgreater than or equal to the thickness of the disk is provided withrespect to the disk drive section 20 in an axial rotation direction of adisk 25 which is selected by the magazine displacement means (notshown).

[0013] The disk rotation drive means 20 is comprised of a disk motor 21,a disk clamp hub 22, a disk clamp 23, a drive lever 24, a disk 25, adisk roller 26, a subordinate roller 27, and an inclined plate cam 32.

[0014] Next, the operation of the conventional disk device will bedescribed below.

[0015] When any one of a plurality of disks 25 which are loaded in amagazine 19 is selected, the magazine 19 is displaced in a direction Fas shown by the arrow in the figure by a drive means and positioned at adesired disk position in the magazine 19.

[0016] A drive lever 24 in the magazine 19 is operated, and the disk 25slides the disk guide 35 in the magazine 19. The leading edge of thedisk 25 is gripped between the disk roller 26 of the disk drive section20 and the subordinate roller 27. After the disk is conveyed to aposition of the disk clamp 23 and the disk clamp hub 22 which isprovided on a shaft of the disk motor 21, the clamp position of the disk25 is confirmed by a disk detection means (not shown). The roller 27 onthe subordinate side of the disk clamp 23 and the disk roller 26 isdisplaced in the direction of the disk clamp hub 22 by the drive meansand the disk 25 is clamped.

[0017] At the same time as the subordinate roller 27 displaces in thedirection of the disk clamp hub 22, the pair of inclined plate cams 32provided on the disk drive section 20 are displaced toward the magazine19 by the drive means. A suitable gap E as shown in FIG. 107 is formedby the inclination of the tray 31.

[0018] Since a conventional disk device is comprised as shown above, theproblem has arisen that disks can not be selectively inserted orretracted as required one at a time since a magazine case is requiredand that the size of the device is increased.

[0019] As a conventional disk device uses a conveyable magazine case, acomplicated mechanism is required in order to separate each of theloading shelves loading disks in the disk device. When disks are playedand a gap is formed between a played disk and an opposed disk, the gapmay be enlarged as only one end can be opened. As a result, the problemhas arisen that it becomes necessary to provide a space in the devicewhich as a result, enlarges the size of the disk device to that degree.

[0020] As a result of the conventional disk device using a conveyablemagazine case, it is extremely difficult to divide each loading shelfloading disks in the disk device by inclining each loading shelf.

[0021] In order to maintain a space in the disk device, the problem hasarisen that the size of the device is increased.

[0022] Since the conventional disk device is constructed to retain adisk outer periphery when retaining a disk in the device, the problemarises that the number of components is increased when retainingsections must be provided which corresponds to disks with a plurality ofdiffering diameters.

[0023] It has been proposed to solve the above problem by the provisionof a retaining section with the functions of retaining a plurality ofdisks of differing diameters with a single retaining section. Howeverwhen such a device is constructed in this way, since a retaining sectionwhich retains small diameter disk must be provided, the problem arisesthat the retaining section for small diameter disks abuts and damagesthe face of large diameter disks when such disks are also loaded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems andhas the object of providing a disk device with reduced dimensions whichis adapted to store a plurality of disks without using a detachablemagazine and to perform respective operations, that is to say, toselectively insert, eject and play each disk.

[0025] The present invention has the further object of providing a diskdevice with reduced space by the disposition of a disk loading positionand disk playing position on the same rotational axis with respect to adisk insertion/ejection direction.

[0026] The present invention has the further object of providing a diskdevice which prevents damage to the face of a disk by supporting asection of the disk when a disk is inserted or ejected by a plurality ofsupport sections.

[0027] A disk device is provided with a disk playing section providedwith a pickup reading recorded information on a disk and a rotatableturntable mounting a disk, a damper section supporting said disk playingsection to float and a rotatable base section which disposes said diskplaying section through said damper section and which forms an engagedsection by an engaging action and an engaging section which engages withan engaged section. The invention is further characterized in that whensaid base section is rotated to a disk playing position, said engagedsection is adapted to engage with said engaging section. In such amanner, when displaced to a disk playing position by a rotatingoperation, since the stopper acts as a supporting section for the diskplaying mechanism apart from the rotation shaft, it is possible tosupport a disk at a plurality of points and to reduce shaking. Thus itis possible to improve the damping characteristics of the dampingsection.

[0028] In the present invention, an engaging section is provided at aset position for disk playing operations and when a disk is played, arotational center of the engaging section equals a rotational center ofthe turntable. By such an arrangement, it is possible to suppressmovement of the rotation shaft generated during disk playing and toimprove the performance of the device.

[0029] A refuge section is formed on the engaged section which refugesto a refuge position so that when a member other than the engagementmember enters, contact is not made with the member. In such a manner, itis possible to prevent engagement with a member which is not theengagement member and thus it is possible to prevent mis-functioning ofthe device and to improve the performance of the device.

[0030] By the arrangement discussed above, it is possible to retain adisk with a simple mechanism irrespective of the type of diameter of thedisk, to reduce the number of components and, since disks are retainedin proximity to an inner disk diameter, to downsize the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 is a schematic figure of a disk device according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 2 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 (a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

[0033]FIG. 3 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 (a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

[0034]FIG. 4 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 (a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

[0035]FIG. 5 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 (a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

[0036]FIG. 6 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 (a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

[0037]FIG. 7 shows the components of a disk position determinationmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral viewof (a), and (d) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

[0038]FIG. 8 shows the components of a disk position determinationmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral viewof (a), and (d) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

[0039]FIG. 9 shows the components of a disk position determinationmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral viewof (a), and (d) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

[0040]FIG. 10 shows the components of a disk position determinationmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral viewof (a), and (d) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

[0041]FIG. 11 shows the components of a disk position determinationmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral viewof (a), and (d) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

[0042]FIG. 12 shows the components of a disk position determinationmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral viewof (a), and (d) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

[0043]FIG. 13 shows the components of a disk position determinationmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 13 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a side view of (a), (c) is a rear view of (a), (d) is anexplanatory drawing of the components, (e) is an explanatory drawing ofthe components, and (f) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

[0044]FIG. 14 shows the components of a disk position determinationmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 14 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a side view of (a), (c) is a rear view of (a), (d) is anexplanatory drawing of the components, (e) is an explanatory drawing ofthe components, and (f) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

[0045]FIG. 15 shows the components of a disk position determinationmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 15 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a side view of (a), (c) is a rear view of (a), (d) is anexplanatory drawing of the components, (e) is an explanatory drawing ofthe components, and (f) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

[0046]FIG. 16 shows the components of a disk support and shuttermechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 16 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral viewof (a).

[0047]FIG. 17 shows the components of a disk support and shuttermechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 17 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral viewof (a).

[0048]FIG. 18 shows the components of a disk support and shuttermechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 18 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral viewof (a).

[0049]FIG. 19 shows the components of a drive force switching mechanismof the disk insertion/ejection mechanism of the disk device as shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 19 (a) is an upper view of the inner components as seenfrom the upper surface of the device, (b) is a left lateral view of (a),and (c) is a rear view of (a).

[0050]FIG. 20 shows the components of a drive force switching mechanismof the disk insertion/ejection mechanism of the disk device as shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 20 (a) is an upper view of the inner components as seenfrom the upper surface of the device, (b) is a left lateral view of (a),and (c) is a rear view of (a).

[0051]FIG. 21 shows the components of a drive force switching mechanismof the disk insertion/ejection mechanism of the disk device as shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 21 (a) is an upper view of the inner components as seenfrom the upper surface of the device, (b) is a left lateral view of (a),and (c) is a rear view of (a).

[0052]FIG. 22 shows the components of a drive force switching mechanismof the disk insertion/ejection mechanism of the disk device as shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 22 (a) is an upper view of the inner components as seenfrom the upper surface of the device, (b) is a left lateral view of (a),and (c) is a rear view of (a).

[0053]FIG. 23 is an overall view of the disk support mechanism of thedisk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 23 (a) is an upper view of theinner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is aleft lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of (a).

[0054]FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk support mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 23. FIG.24 (a), (b) and (c) are explanatory views of the action of thecomponents, and (d) is an explanatory view of the action.

[0055]FIG. 25 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk supportmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 25 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

[0056]FIG. 26 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk supportmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 26 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

[0057]FIG. 27 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk supportmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 27 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

[0058]FIG. 28 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk supportmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 28 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

[0059]FIG. 29 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk supportmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 29 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

[0060]FIG. 30 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk supportmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 30 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

[0061]FIG. 31 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk supportmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 31 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

[0062]FIG. 32 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk supportmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 32 (a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

[0063]FIG. 33 is an overall view of a disk playing mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

[0064]FIG. 34 is an overall view of a disk playing mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

[0065]FIG. 35 is an overall view of a disk playing mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

[0066]FIG. 36 is an overall view of a disk playing mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

[0067]FIG. 37 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0068]FIG. 38 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0069]FIG. 39 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0070]FIG. 40 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0071]FIG. 41 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0072]FIG. 42 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0073]FIG. 43 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0074]FIG. 44 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0075]FIG. 45 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0076]FIG. 46 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0077]FIG. 47 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0078]FIG. 48 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0079]FIG. 49 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0080]FIG. 50 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0081]FIG. 51 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0082]FIG. 52 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0083]FIG. 53 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0084]FIG. 54 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0085]FIG. 55 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0086]FIG. 56 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0087]FIG. 57 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0088]FIG. 58 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0089]FIG. 59 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0090]FIG. 60 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0091]FIG. 61 is an overall view of the disk loading mechanism of thedisk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 61(a) shows a state of connection,(b) shows a state of disconnection.

[0092]FIG. 62 is an exploded view of the components of a disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0093]FIG. 63 is a block diagram of the upper surface of the componentsof a disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0094]FIG. 64 is a block diagram of the upper surface of the componentsof a disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0095]FIG. 65 is a block diagram of the upper surface of the componentsof a disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0096]FIG. 66 is a block diagram of the upper surface of the componentsof a disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0097]FIG. 67 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 67 (a) is across-sectional view of the components, (b)is an explanatory view of(a).

[0098]FIG. 68 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 68 (a) is across-sectional view of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of(a).

[0099]FIG. 69 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 69 (a) is across-sectional view of the components, (b)is an explanatory view of(a).

[0100]FIG. 70 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 70 (a) is across-sectional view of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of(a).

[0101]FIG. 71 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 71 (a) is across-sectional view of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of(a).

[0102]FIG. 72 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 72 (a) is across-sectional view of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of(a).

[0103]FIG. 73 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 73 (a) is across-sectional view of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of(a).

[0104]FIG. 74 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG.74(a) shows a state of connection, (b) shows a state of disconnection.

[0105]FIG. 75 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0106]FIG. 76 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0107]FIG. 77 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0108]FIG. 78 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0109]FIG. 79 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0110]FIG. 80 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0111]FIG. 81 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0112]FIG. 82 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0113]FIG. 83 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 83 (a) is across-sectional view of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of(a).

[0114]FIG. 84 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0115]FIG. 85 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0116]FIG. 86 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0117]FIG. 87 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0118]FIG. 88 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0119]FIG. 89 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0120]FIG. 90 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0121]FIG. 91 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0122]FIG. 92 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0123]FIG. 93 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0124]FIG. 94 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0125]FIG. 95 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0126]FIG. 96 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0127]FIG. 97 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0128]FIG. 98 is an explanatory view of the action of the components ofthe disk loading mechanism of the disk device according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

[0129]FIG. 99 is a state transition diagram which explains the action ofthe disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0130]FIG. 100 is a state transition diagram which explains the actionof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0131]FIG. 101 is a state transition diagram which explains the actionof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0132]FIG. 102 is a state transition diagram which explains the actionof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0133]FIG. 103 is a state transition diagram which explains the actionof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0134]FIG. 104 shows a schematic view of a conventional disk device.

[0135]FIG. 105 shows a lateral cross section of a side face of aconventional disk device.

[0136]FIG. 106 shows an upper cross section of an upper face of aconventional disk device.

[0137]FIG. 107 shows an upper cross section of an upper face of aconventional disk device.

[0138]FIG. 108 shows a lateral cross section of a side face of aconventional disk device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0139] In order to describe the invention in greater detail, thepreferred embodiments will be outlined below with reference to theaccompanying figures.

[0140] Embodiment 1

[0141]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the inner components of a diskdevice according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Therespective mechanisms of the disk device can be broadly divided intofive sections.

[0142]FIG. 1 shows a disk insertion/ejection mechanism 100 whichperforms insertion and ejection of disks and which is disposed inproximity of a disk insertion mouth. FIG. 2 shows a disk positiondetermination mechanism 200 which discriminates the diameter of a diskand which fixes the disk to a retained position in the device. FIG. 3shows a disk support mechanism 300 which supports a disk which has beenretained in a determined position by the disk position determinationmechanism. FIG. 4 shows a disk playing mechanism 400 which performsplaying of disks and which is supported by the disk support mechanism.FIG. 5 shows a disk loading mechanism which regulates the height of eachdisk which has been or will be retained and loaded in the device.

[0143] The basic operation of the disk device will be explained below.

[0144] First when the insertion of a disk into the disk device isdetected, operations to convey a disk into the device are initiated bythe disk insertion/ejection mechanism.

[0145] A section of the disk position determination mechanism 200 abutswith a peripheral edge of the disk and the diameter of the disk isdiscriminated. Based on the result of this determination, positionaldetermination of the disk is performed by the disk positiondetermination mechanism and the disk is set in a fixed position so thatthe disk rotation shaft is in a fixed position, that is to say, aplaying position.

[0146] After the disk position determination mechanism has determinedthe position of the disk, the disk supporting mechanism supports thedisk so that the disk maintains a set fixed position and maintains theheight of the disk in the device.

[0147] Then when the disk supporting mechanism supports the disk, thedisk playing mechanism is displaced to a playing position of the disk tobe played by a rotational action. As a result, the playing operation ofthe disk is performed.

[0148] During the playing operation of the disk, the diskinsertion/ejection mechanism displaces toward the disk insertion mouthso as not to impede the playing of the disk.

[0149] On receipt of a disk ejection command, the sequence of operationsdescribed above is performed in reverse. That is to say, the playing ofthe disk by the disk playing mechanism is suspended. The disk supportmechanism supports the disk and after the disk is supported, the diskplaying mechanism rotates in a direction which is opposite to thatduring disk play and transfers the disk to a loaded position. Then adisk ejection operation is performed to eject the disk out of the deviceby the disk insertion/ejection mechanism and an entire sequence ofoperations is completed.

[0150] Although the description of the operations above only describedthe sequence of playing a disk inserted into the device and ejecting thedisk out of the device, a sequence of operations will be explained withrespect to performing switching operations of a plurality of disksloaded in a device from a disk during a playing operation to a diskwhich a user desired to play.

[0151] First, the playing operation of a first disk is terminated. Thedisk support mechanism supports the first disk and thereafter the diskplaying mechanism rotates in a direction opposite to that during playingoperations for the first disk and displaces to a loading position. Atthat time, a second disk is loaded in the disk loading mechanism.

[0152] Then after the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is retractedtowards a disk insertion mouth to a fixed position which is not oppositethe surface of the first disk, a section of the disk loading mechanismextends from a lower section of the device while loosely fixing the holeof the first disk to an upper section of the device. After completion ofthe connection operation with another section of the disk loadingmechanism, support of the first disk by the disk support mechanism isreleased. Thus the first disk is loaded only by the disk loadingmechanism.

[0153] When support of the first disk is released, the drive meansinitiates a driving operation. The disk loading mechanism which looselyfixes the disk is rotated and the height of a second disk is switched,that is to say, the desired disk, the second disk, is placed in aplaying height. At the same time, the height of the first disk isswitched based on the rotation of the disk loading mechanism so that thedisk is loaded at a height that differs from a playing position.

[0154] After the second disk support operation wherein the disk supportmechanism operates to support the second disk, the disk loadingmechanism rotates in a direction opposite to that when the first disk isloaded. The mechanism separates from the hole of the second disk andretracts to a lower section of the device. The second disk at this timeis supported only by the disk support mechanism and is set in a playingposition.

[0155] After the disk insertion/ejection mechanism displaces to a fixedposition in the device, the disk playing mechanism displaces towards thesecond disk in order to play the second disk. After reaching a fixedplaying position, the support of the disk support mechanism is released,and after release, the second disk is played.

[0156] The basic operation of the disk device has the above functions.Firstly the main components of the overall disk device will be describedbelow. Thereafter the five mechanisms referred to above will bedescribed in detail.

[0157] 1. Main Components of Overall Disk Device

[0158]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an overall disk device according toa first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,reference numeral 50 denotes a housing of a disk device, 51 is a diskinsertion mouth allowing insertion or ejection of disks into the housing50 that is to say, into the disk device.

[0159]1000 is a disk insertion/ejection mechanism which allows insertionor ejection of disks into the housing 50. The disk insertion/ejectionmechanism 1000 comprises a drive roller 101 which inserts or ejects adisk into the device, a disk biasing section 102 which disposed at aposition facing the drive roller 101, and a roller displacement means103 which displaces the drive roller 101 and the disk biasing section102 in a range from near the disk insertion mouth 51 into the device. Adisk inserted from the disk insertion mouth 51 is gripped between thedrive roller 101 and the disk biasing section 102 and is inserted intothe device by the rotating operation of the drive roller 101.

[0160]2000 is a disk position determination mechanism which comprises anabutting pin 201, a position determination section 202 and a linksection 203. The abutting section 201 is disposed adjacent to the centerof the disk conveying path. The pin abuts with a section of the diskperipheral section due to the disk insertion position with respect tothe disk insertion mouth 51 and the disk diameter of the inserted disk.The position determination section 202 determines the position of disksof respective diameters to fixed positions in response to the diametersof the inserted disks. The link section 203 transmits the displacementof the abutting pin 201 to the fixed section (discussed below). The linksection 203 of the disk position determination mechanism 2000 displacesto a position determination point for large disks and fixes the largedisk to a fixed position. When a large diameter disk (for example with adiameter of 12 cm) is inserted and the large diameter disk abuts withthe position determination section 202, the peripheral section of thedisk abuts with the abutting pin 201. Thus the abutment of the fixedsection (discussed below) which determines the position of the positiondetermination section 202 is released. The position determinationsection 202 then passes the positional determination point for smalldisks (for example disk with an 8 cm diameter) from the disk insertionrefuge position and thus displaces further away.

[0161]3000 is a disk supporting mechanism which supports a section of adisk surface near a peripheral section which has been inserted by thedisk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 and determined to a fixedposition by the disk position determination mechanism 2000. The disksupporting mechanism 3000 comprises three support arms 301, 302, 303.The support arms 301, 302, 303 are normally refuged to three respectivepositions proximate to walls in the housing 50. The support arms aredisplaced to a proximate position to the disk and support the disk onlywhen the disk support operations are performed. At such times, the diskis supported at three support points by the support arms 301, 302, 303.

[0162]4000 is a disk playing mechanism for playing disks. The diskplaying mechanism 4000 is adapted to refuge to a position near a wall ofthe housing 50 when not performing a playing operation of a disk(including a preparation for a playing operation) and to displace to adisk playing position only when performing disk playing operations.

[0163] The details of the above components will be described below.However a turntable which is provided at a position at which the disk isloaded, a drive motor which rotates and drives a disk mounted on theturntable and a pickup which reads information recorded on the disk areprovided on the disk playing mechanism 4000.

[0164]5000 is a disk loading mechanism which retains and loads disks inthe device and which regulates the height of a disk by a rotationoperation. The disk loading mechanism 5000 operates when a second diskis loaded in the device, the disk playing device 4000 suspends theplaying of the first disk and the second disk is played or when aplurality of disks are loaded in the device, a desired disk is selectedfrom this plurality of disks and played or when a disk height isswitched and a disk is loaded.

[0165] The disk loading mechanism 5000 places the surface of each diskinserted from the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 into a roughlyparallel orientation and retains and loads disks so that the center ofthe axis of rotation of each disk is approximately in line. Inembodiment 1, the device is adapted to load six disks.

[0166] Although the overall structure of the device is described above,the details of the structure and operation of each mechanism will bedescribed in detail below.

[0167] 2. Disk Insertion/Ejection Mechanism

[0168]FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 show the disk insertion/ejection mechanism of thepresent invention. Figure (a) is an upper schematic view showing thecomponents of the device as seen from an upper face of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of Figure (a) and shows the inner components asseen from the left side. Figure (c) is a right lateral view of Figure(a) and shows the inner components as seen from the right side.

[0169]FIG. 2(d) is an explanatory view of the positional relationshipbetween a disk inserted into these disks and the drive roller 101 anddisk biasing section 102. This figure corresponds to Figure (b), that isto say, to the left lateral view of the device.

[0170] In FIG. 2(a) to (d), 50 is a housing of the disk device, 51 is adisk insertion mouth through which disks S are inserted or ejected intoor from the disk device, that is to say, into the housing 50. 101 is adrive roller which displaces a disk into or out of the disk device. 102is a disk biasing section composed of plate metal which is disposed at aposition opposite the drive roller 101 and which grips the disk with thedrive roller when the drive roller 101 drives, that is to say, when thedisk is displaced into the device. 103 is a roller displacementmechanism which displaces a roller mechanism comprised of the driveroller 101 and the disk biasing section 102 in the device along a diskconveying pathway (not shown).

[0171] The operation of the roller displacement mechanism 103 will bedescribed below.

[0172] The roller displacement mechanism 103 is provided with a motor1031 which acts as a drive source which drives the roller mechanism,which is comprised of a drive roller 101 and a disk biasing section 102,along a disk conveying path, a worm gear 1032 which is engaged to arotational shaft of the motor 1031 and forms a gear on an outerperipheral section, gears 1033-1037 in which the rotation of the wormgear 1032 is transmitted between each gear, and a gear 1038 one sectionof which is engaged with an end of the drive roller 101 and which isengaged with a gear 1037 when performing disk insertion/ejectionoperations. The gear 1038 is linked to the rotating operation of thegear 1037 and drives the rotation of the drive roller 101.

[0173] The gears 1035-1037 are axially supported to rotate freely on aplate 1039. A hole is formed in a section of the center shaft whichrotates the main body of the plate 1039. A projection 1040 a is providedand a motor mounting plate 1040 is provided which disposes the motor1031 on the housing 50. The projection 1040 a supports and loosely fixesthe gear 1034 and supports and loosely fixes the hole of the plate 1039.

[0174] The roller displacement mechanism 103 has an elongated hole 1041a, the length of which is formed in an approximately vertical directionwith respect to the direction of disk insertion/ejection. When thedisplacement of the drive roller 101 is limited in the direction of diskinsertion/ejection by the elongated hole 1041 a, the drive roller 101 isdisplaced in an approximately vertical direction with respect to thedirection of disk insertion/ejection. That is to say, a base 1041 isprovided which displaces in direction A or direction B. On the base1041, pins 1041 a-1041 c are provided which project towards the housing50. Elongated holes 50 a-50 c are formed on a wall of the housing 50which allow sliding of the pins 1041 a-1041 c in a fixed position withrespect to the pins 1041 a-1041 c. As a result, the roller displacementmechanism 103 displaces in direction C or direction D due to the slidingaction of the pins 1041 a-1041 c in the elongated holes 50 a-50 c.

[0175] Guide holes 50 d, 50 e which defined the sliding respectively ofone end and the other end of the drive roller 101 are formed on eachleft and right lateral section of the housing 50 with respect to thedirection of insertion/ejection of the disks in order to follow thedirection of disk insertion from near the disk insertion mouth 51. Thegap with the disk biasing section 102 from one end near the diskinsertion mouth to a fixed position is marked by the letter X. The guideholes 50 d, 50 e are inclined so that from the fixed position, the driveroller 101 can gradually approach the disk biasing section 102 up to theinterior of the device which is within the displaceable range of thedrive roller 101. That is to say, the inclination is provided so thatthe gap with the disk biasing section 102 is smaller than X. In such away, when a disk is inserted from the disk insertion mouth 51, the driveroller 101 is disposed on point P and when the disk is played, the driveroller 101 is displaced towards the disk insertion mouth to point Q.When the disk loading mechanism 5000 interchanges a disk, the driveroller 101 is displaced yet further towards the disk insertion 51 frompoint Q and disposed at point R.

[0176] A projection 52 is formed in the device on the lateral face ofthe housing 50. A gear 1042 which uses the projection 52 as a rotationshaft is engaged on the projection 52.

[0177] The plate 1039 is engaged with either the gear 1036 or the gear1038 by displacement in either direction E or direction F so as to belinked with the switching lever discussed below. That is to say, whenthe plate 1039 displaces is direction E, the gear 1036 and the gear 1042engage. When the plate 1039 displaces is direction F, the gear 1037 andthe gear 1038 engage.

[0178]1043 is a rack plate which is disposed to be approximatelyparallel with a surface of the left lateral side of the housing 50. Arack section 1043 a which engages with the gear 1042 plate 1043 isformed on a section of the rack plate 1043. The rack plate 1043displaces in a direction of disk insertion/ejection by the rotatingaction of the gear 1042. That is to say, it displaces in direction C ordirection D. During such displacement, the projection 1043 b formed on asection of the rack plate 1043 abuts with a section of the base 1041 andthe base 1041 also displaces in the same direction as the displacementof the rack plate 1043. Furthermore the projection 1043 c formed onanother section of the rack plate 1043 abuts with a section of therotating lever (explained below) and the rotating lever also displacesin the direction G.

[0179] When the rack plate displaces in direction D, the rotation leverrotates in direction G and the rotation lever is biased in direction Hby a biasing member (not shown). Thus when the rack plate 1043 displacesin direction C from a situation in which the rotation lever is biased indirection G, the abutment of the rack plate 1043 and the projection 1043c is released and the rack plate 1043 is returned in direction H by thebiasing of the biasing member.

[0180]1044 is a first arm which forms a projection on both ends. Oneprojection engages slidably with a hole formed on a front lateralsection of the housing 50. The other projection engages slidably with anelongated hole (not shown) formed on the base 1041. 1045 is a second armwhich forms a projection on both ends. One projection engages slidablywith a hole formed on a front lateral section of the housing 50. Theother projection engages slidably with an elongated hole (not shown)formed on the base 1041. A projection 1044 a is formed in anapproximately center section of the first arm 1044 and a hole is formedin an approximately center section of the second arm 1045. Theprojection 1044 a is adapted to be loosely fixed into the hole of thesecond arm 1045.

[0181]1046 is a biasing means which biases the first arm 1044 indirection I and which biases the second arm 1045 in direction J. Thebiasing means 1046 is provided with a first spring 1046 a and a secondspring 1046 b. One end of the first spring abuts with the proximity ofthe other end of the first arm 1044 and the other end abuts with theproximity of the other end of the second arm 1045. One end of the secondspring abuts with the proximity of the other end of the second arm 1045and the other end abuts with the proximity of the other end of the firstarm 1045. By such an arrangement, the first arm 1044 and the second arm1045 are normally biased in direction C, that is to say, the base 1041is biased in direction C.

[0182] Furthermore smooth operation of the roller displacement mechanismis performed by the provision of the first arm 1044, the second arm 1045and the biasing means 1046.

[0183] As shown in FIG. 2, when the biasing force of the biasing means1046 is applied to the first and second arms 1044, 1045, the driveroller 101 as shown in FIG. 1 is disposed at point P, that is to say, itis disposed at a position which is most proximate to the disk biasingsection 102.

[0184] Point P represents the most proximate position of the driveroller 101 and the disk biasing section 102. However needless to say,both components may abut.

[0185]1047 is a disk incline correction section. When a disk which isinserted from the disk insertion mouth 51 is not approximately parallelwith the disk conveying path, that is to say, when the disk is insertedin an inclined state, the incline of the disk is corrected forcibly by asection of the above component abutting with a section of the disk sothat the disk is conveyed approximately parallel with the disk conveyingpath. 1048 is a plate which guides the movement of the base 1041 indirection C and direction D. A hole which supports one of the rotationalshafts of the disk incline correction section 1047 is provided in thehousing 50. A hole which supports the other of the rotation shafts ofthe disk incline correction section 1047 is provided in the plate 1048.The disk incline correction section 1047 performs rotation operationsusing these holes as support points.

[0186]1049 is a lever which is disposed on the right lateral side of thehousing by the plate 1048. The lever 1049 forms a hole on the surfaceopposite the plate 1048. A projection 1048 a formed on the plate 1048 issupported with a play in the hole and the lever 1049 is adapted torotate and displaces in direction K or direction L using the projection1048 a as a rotation shaft.

[0187] A cam groove 1049 a and a cam groove 1049 b are formed on thelever 1049.

[0188] A projection 1047 a which is engaged with the hole formed on thehousing 50, a projection 1047 b which is engaged with the hole formed onthe plate 1048, and a projection 1047 c which is engaged with a camgroove 1049 a which is formed on the lever 1049 are provided on the diskincline correction section 1047.

[0189] The operation of a series of disk insertion and ejectionoperations will be described referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6.

[0190]FIG. 2 shows the drive roller 101 rotating, that is to say, thedevice in a disk loading state. FIG. 3 shows the completion of the diskinsertion operation from the operational state shown in FIG. 2. In orderto play the disk, the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is displaced indirection A, that is to say, the rack plate 1043 can displace the rollerdisplacement mechanism. That is to say, the gear 1042 and the gear 1039are engaged. FIG. 4 shows the refuging of the operation as shown in FIG.3, that is to say, a disk playing state. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show thecompletion of the refuging operation of the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism from the state as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows the member andthe linkage loading state of the disk loading mechanism (discussedbelow) which performs height adjustment of the disk and changing ofdisks. FIG. 6 shows the rack plate 1043 displacing in direction A fromthe state as shown in FIG. 5. Linked to this displacement, the linkedmember (to be discussed below) is shown in a rotated position.

[0191] As shown in FIG. 2, the motor 1031 is started by detection ofdisk insertion and drive force is transmitted from the gear 1032 of themotor 1031 through the gear 1036 to the gear 1037. Since the plate 1039at this time rotates in a clockwise direction, the gear 1037 and thegear 1038 engage and the gear 1038 rotates due to the rotations of thegear 1037. Since the engagement of the gear 1042 and the gear 1036 isreleased at this time in order to displace the rack plate 1043, the gear1036 is rotated by the rotations of the gear 1035.

[0192] When the device is in a mode in which disk insertion operationsare complete and a disk is played, the engagement of the gear 1037 andthe gear 1038 is released at this time and the plate 1039 rotates in ananti-clockwise direction since it is necessary to refuge the diskinsertion/ejection mechanism which interferes with the disk playingoperation. The gear 1042 and the gear 1036 are engaged in order todisplace the rack plate 1043. The rotation of the gear 1037 is continuedat this time, however the rotation of the gear 1038 is suspended inorder to release the engagement of the gear 1037. Since the gear 1042and the gear 1036 are engaged, the rack plate 1043 is displaced and itis possible to refuge the disk insertion/ejection mechanism. FIG. 4shows disk playing operation with the disk insertion/ejection mechanismin a refuged state. As stated above, when a disk is played, the deviceis adapted to refuge the disk insertion/ejection mechanism. Furthermorethe device is adapted to operate the components of the disk loadingmechanism to link with the disk insertion/ejection mechanism shown inthe state in FIG. 6 from the state shown in FIG. 5.

[0193] 3. Disk Position Determination Mechanism

[0194]FIG. 7 to FIG. 12 are related to the disk position determinationmechanism. In each of the figures, Figure (a) shows an upper view of thecomponents as seen from the upper surface of the device. (b) is a leftside view of (a) showing the inner components as seen from the leftsurface. (c) is a rear view of (a) which shows the inner components asseen from the rear surface. (d) is a component view showing componentsdetermining the position of the disk position determination mechanismwhen the position of a large diameter disk is determined or when a diskis played.

[0195]FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 show the position determination operation for alarge diameter disk. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the position determinationoperation for a small diameter disk.

[0196] A switching mechanism 2100 and a shutter mechanism 2200 arecontained in the disk position determination mechanism 2000. The diskposition determination mechanism, the switching mechanism and theshutter mechanism will be described in order.

[0197]FIG. 7 shows the state of a disk as inserted. The disk positiondetermination mechanism at this time is shown in a ready position fordisk insertion. FIG. 8 shows an inserted disk in an abutting state withthe position determination section 2006 (discussed below) which isdisposed in the insertion ready position. FIG. 9 shows the positiondetermination section 2006 as displaced from the position as shown inFIG. 8 towards to a position determination point. FIG. 10 shows thecompletion of the position determination operation to a positiondetermination point for a large diameter disk after the completion ofthe operation as shown in FIG. 9.

[0198]FIG. 11 shows a small diameter disk being conveyed by the diskinsertion/ejection mechanism. FIG. 12 shows the completion of theposition determination operation to a position determination point forsmall diameter disks after the completion of the operation as shown inFIG. 11.

[0199] In FIGS. 7 (a)-(d), reference numeral 2000 denotes a diskposition determination mechanism which accurately determines a diskplaying position depending on the diameter of each disk whether the diskis a large diameter disk (for example a 12 cm CD) or a small diameterdisk (for example an 8 cm CD). The disk position determination mechanism2000 is comprised of the components below.

[0200]2001 is a rotatable arm forming an abutting pin 2001 a on one endtowards the disk insertion mouth and a hole 2001 b to which a projectionformed on the housing 50 is fixed with a play. The arm 2001 is adaptedto rotate in direction A about the hole 2001 a and extend by a sectionof the peripheral section of the inserted disk abutting with theabutting pin 2001 a (refer to FIG. 7(a)). The arm 2001 is normallybiased in direction B due to a biasing means (not shown) such as aspring. That is to say, when the abutment of the disk with the abuttingpin 2001 a is released, the arm 2001 is adapted to return to theposition as shown in FIG. 7 (a).

[0201]2002 is a plate which is linked to the other end of the arm 2001.When the arm 2001 rotates in direction A, the plate displaces indirection C and when the arm 2001 rotates in direction B, the platedisplaces in direction D. A projection 2002 a is provided on one end ofthe plate 2002.

[0202]2003 is a first rotatable lever on one end of which an abuttingsection 2003 a is formed which abuts in response to the displacedposition of the projection 2002 a provided on the plate 2002. On anotherend of the first rotatable lever 2003 an elongated hole 2003 b isformed. The first lever 2003 rotates about a hole 2003 c in which aprojection is fixed with a play which is formed on an approximatelycentral section of the housing. The first lever 2003 rotates indirection E when the plate 2002 displaces in direction C and rotates indirection F when the plate 2002 displaces in direction D.

[0203]2004 is a second lever which forms stoppers 2004 b, 2004 c whichlimit the operation of the third lever 2007 to a fixed position byfixing a projection 2004 a a section of which slides in the elongatedhole 2003 formed on the first lever 2003 and by fixing a projection(discussed below) form on one end of the third lever 2007 to a fixedposition The second lever 2004 is adapted to link with the first lever2003 and to displace in the same direction as the direction ofdisplacement of the first lever 2003.

[0204]2005 is a base plate one section of which is fixed to the housing50. An elongated hole 2005 a is formed on the base plate 2005 and allowsa projection (to be discussed below) which is formed on one end of thethird plate 2007 to slide therein.

[0205]2006 is a position determination section which determines theposition of a disk and has projections 2006 a, 2006 b which project inan approximately perpendicular direction with respect to the disksurface towards the disk insertion mouth. The projections 2006 a, 2006 bare formed to abut with two points of the disk peripheral section andthus to determine the position of the disk. The position determinationsection 2006 varies an amount of displacement (displacement distance) indirection G in response to the diameter of the abutting disk (this pointwill be explained in detail in the description of the operation of thedevice).

[0206]2007 is a third lever on one end of which a projection 2007 a isformed which is slidable in the elongated hole provided in the baseplate 2005 a. The other end supports a position determination section2006 to rotate freely by the projections 2006 a, 2006 b at a positionremoved from the disk insertion mouth. When the position determinationsection 2006 displaces in direction G, the third lever 2007 also rotatesin an anti-clockwise direction, that is to say, in direction G. Thethird lever 2007 and other related components will be described below.

[0207]2008 is a fourth lever one end of which is formed to rotate freelyon a section of the base plate 2005. An approximately central section islayered on an approximately central section of the third lever 2007 toact as a center of rotation. The other end supports the positiondetermination section 2006 to rotate freely by the projections 2006 a,2006 b at a position removed from the disk insertion mouth. When theposition determination section 2006 displaces in direction G, the fourthlever 2008 rotates in a clockwise position, that is to say, it displacesin direction G. Other components and related operations will bedescribed below in the same way as the fourth lever 2008.

[0208]FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 show the components linked with the diskposition determination. Figure (a) shows an upper view of the componentsas seen from the upper surface of the device. (b) is a left side view of(a) showing the components as seen from the left surface. (c) is a rearview of (a) which shows the components as seen from the rear surface.(d)-(f) are explanatory figures showing the structure of the components.

[0209]FIG. 13 shows the state of the device after the performance ofdisk positional determination by the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 and before setting to a disk playing operation state.FIG. 14 shows the initiation of the rotation operation of the fifthlever 2101 (discussed below). FIG. 15 shows the refuged position of thedisk position determination mechanism 2000 further in a rear directiontogether with the completion of the rotation operation of the fifthlever.

[0210] In FIG. 13, 2100 is a position determination refuge mechanismwhich is displaced further in direction G and disposed towards the rearof the housing when the position determination section 2006, the thirdlever 2007, and the fourth lever 2008 participate in disk playingoperations with a large diameter disk disposed in a determined position(details of the operation are described below).

[0211] The position determination refuge mechanism 2100 comprises aprojection 2101 a, a fifth lever 2101 and a sixth lever. The projection2101 a acts as a rotation point and is fixed with a play in a holeformed in the base plate 2005 and the fifth lever 2101 has a projection2101 b formed at a position which differs from the projection 2101 a.The sixth lever is formed along the housing, and has a support point2102 a which is provided to act as a rotation shaft one end beingsupported on the housing. The sixth lever forms another end 2102 b in anindented shape. A section of the rack plate 1043 is fixed with a play inthe indentation 2102 b of the sixth plate 2102. When the rack plate 1043displaces in direction A, the sixth lever 2102 is linked and displacesin direction A by rotating about the projection 2102 a.

[0212]2103 is a seventh lever formed in a curved shape. The seventhlever 2103 forms a rotation point 2103 a which is provided on anapproximately central section, an abutting section 2103 b which abutswith an upper surface of the rack plate 1043 when one end is in a modeother than disk play mode, and an engaging section 2103 c which is fixedinto the elongated hole 2102 c, formed on a section of the sixth lever2102. The seventh lever 2103 is biased by a biasing means (not shown) sothat the engaging section 2103 c is normally in a state of abutment withthe rack plate 1043. As a result, the seventh lever 2103 rotates to abutwith the housing due to the biasing force of the biasing means. That isto say, the engagement means 2103 c as shown in FIG. 15 is engaged withthe elongated hole 2102 c of the sixth lever 2102. When in such a state,the position determination section 2006, the third lever 2007, thefourth lever 2008 are displaced to refuge in the further position asshown in FIG. 10.

[0213] The operation of the invention will be described below.

[0214] Firstly, as shown in FIG. 13(d), when the rack plate 1043 is notdisplacing, the fifth lever 2101 does not rotate due to the positionalrelationship between the elongated hole 2012 b formed on the sixth lever2102 and the projection 2101 a formed on the fifth lever 2101.

[0215] Then as shown in FIG. 14, when the rack plate 1043 begins todisplace, since the sixth lever 2102 which is linked with the rack plate1043 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, the elongated hole 2012 bformed on the sixth plate 2102 also displaces and the projection 2101 aformed on the fifth lever 2101 rotates in an anti-clockwise directionbeing linked with this displacement. This is the result of the thirdlever 2007 rotating in an anti-clockwise direction due to the abutmentof one end of the fifth lever 2101 and the third lever 2007.

[0216] The rack plate 1043 is further displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 14 to that as shown in FIG. 15. The sixth lever 2102 whichis linked to the rack plate 1043 is further rotated in an anti-clockwisedirection. Based on the displacement of the elongated hole 2012 b formedon the sixth lever 2102, the projection 2101 a formed on the fifth lever2101 is further rotated in an anti-clockwise direction being linked withthis displacement and reaches an operation completion position. Thus theposition determination section 2006, the third lever 2007 and the fourthlever 2008 are shown as having reached an innermost position in thedevice.

[0217] The shutter mechanism will now be described.

[0218] In FIG. 16, 2200 is a shutter mechanism which closes the diskinsertion mouth so as not to allow the insertion of disks from the diskinsertion mouth when the disk playing mechanism (described below) isoperating. The shutter mechanism 2200 is formed from the componentsbelow.

[0219]2201 is a plate which is linked to the rotation operation of thegear (not shown) which engages with the drive motor (not shown) andwhich is adapted to displace in direction A or direction B due to thedrive force of the drive motor. Elongated holes 2201 a, 2201 b areformed on the plate 2201.

[0220]2202 is an eighth lever on one end of which projections 2202 a and2202 b are respectively formed. An approximately central section of theprojection 2202 b acts as a support point. A projection 2202 c is formedwhich rotates in an anti-clockwise direction based on the displacementof the plate 2201. The projection 2202 a of the eighth lever 2202 slidesin an elongated hole 2201 a in the plate 2201 and the projection 2202 cdisplaces in direction C. 2203 is a ninth lever. At one end, a hole 2203a which engages with a projection 2202 c is formed and a projection 2203b is adapted to slide in an elongated hole formed on a section of thehousing (upper plate). On the other end, a projection 2203 c is formed.When the plate 2201 displaces in direction A, the ninth lever 2203 islinked and rotates in direction D.

[0221]2204 is a tenth lever on one end of which a groove 2204 a isformed which guides a projection 2203 c of the ninth lever 2203 to slidefreely and on the other end of which a rack section 2204 b is formed.The tenth lever 2204 is adapted to be linked to the displacement of theninth lever 2203. That is to say, when the ninth lever 2203 displaces indirection D, the tenth lever 2204 is linked to the displacement androtates in direction D.

[0222]2205 is a gear which is engaged with the rack 2204 b of the tenthlever 2204.

[0223]2206 is a plate which is provided with a rack 2206 a formed on oneend, a projection 2206 b which is fixed with a play to an elongated holeformed in the base plate (discussed below) and an elongated hole 2206 cwhich guides the projection formed on the shutter 2207 (discussed below)to slide freely. The plate 2206 is adapted to be linked with thedisplacement of the tenth lever 2204 in direction D and thus the gearsection 2206 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Being linked tothis rotation, the plate 2206 displaces in direction B.

[0224] A support mechanism 3000 (discussed below) is provided on thebase plate which abuts with a face of a disk and supports the disk.

[0225]2207 is a shutter section which forms at both ends, elongatedholes 2207 a, 2207 b in an axial direction of a disk which is insertedat both ends and which forms a projection 2207 b which is fixed with aplay to freely slide in an elongated hole 2206 c formed on the plate2206. The shutter section 2207 is linked to displace with thedisplacement of the plate 2206. When the plate 2206 displaces indirection B, the elongated hole 2206 c formed on the plate 2206 isadapted to incline in direction E as shown in FIG. 16(a). Thus theprojection 2207 c of the shutter section 2207 displaces in direction Edue to the guide of the elongated hole 2206 c, that is to say, theshutter section 2207 displaces towards the lower section of the deviceand disk insertion from the disk insertion hole can not be performed.

[0226] The elongated hole 2201 a of the plate 2201 is structured asshown in FIG. 16(a) and is adapted so that the shutter section 2207 andthe support mechanism are displaced in an axial direction of the diskdue to the elongated hole 2201 a guiding the projection 2202 a of theeighth lever 2202.

[0227] The operation of the invention will be described below.

[0228]FIG. 16 to FIG. 18 show the shutter components linked with thedisk position determination. Figure (a) shows an upper view of thecomponents as seen from the upper surface of the device. (b) is a leftside view of (a) showing the components as seen from the left surface.(c) is a right view of (a) which shows the components as seen from theright side.

[0229] The shutter mechanism 2200 is adapted to prevent double insertionof disks in order to maintain the operational mechanism of the devicewhen disks which are loaded in the disk loading mechanism are changed ordisks are played.

[0230]FIG. 16 shows the device in a state in which a disk can beinserted, that is to say, in a state in which the shutter is notoperating so that there is no cover on the disk conveying path. Fromthis state, the shutter 2207 and the base plate displace in linkedmovement due to the displacement of the plate 2201 in direction A.

[0231] In FIG. 17, the plate 2201 begins to displace in direction A anddisplaces so that the projection 2202 a of the eighth lever 2202 isdisposed to a lower section of the elongated hole 2201 a formed on theplate 2201. As the shutter 2207 displaces downwardly, that is to say,covers the disk conveying path, disk insertion is prevented. When theshutter section 2207 is displaced, the disk support mechanism isdisplaced upwardly in linked motion and as shown in FIG. 17, the disksupport mechanism is displaced to an upper section in the device. As thedisplacement of the rack plate 2201 continues, as shown in FIG. 18, thedisk support mechanism is adapted to displace downwardly in the device.

[0232]FIG. 19 to FIG. 22 show the components of the drive forcetransmission switching mechanism 2300 which transmits and switches thedrive force of the motor 1001 to one of the rack plate 1043 or the driveroller 101 provided on the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000.Figure (a) shows an upper view of the components as seen from the uppersurface of the device. (b) is a left side view of (a) showing thecomponents as seen from the left surface. (c) is a rear view of (a)which shows the components as seen from the rear side.

[0233] In FIG. 19 to FIG. 22, 2301 is a lever which is adapted to rotateabout a rotation shaft 2301 a. The lever 2301 forms an abutting section2301 b on one end. Together with the displacement of the second plate indirection A, since one end of the second plate and the abutting section2301 b also displace in direction A, the lever 2301 rotates in ananti-clockwise direction. That is to say, the stopper formed on thesecond lever 2004 which fixes the projection also displaces in directionA due to the displacement of the projection formed on the third lever2007 in direction A. Thus since the second lever 2004 displaces indirection A, the lever 2301 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction.

[0234] A biasing means 2302 which is biased normally in direction B isattached to the lever 2301. The lever 2301 forms a projection 2301 c onthe other end.

[0235]2303 is a side plate which is provided with an elongated hole 2303in which the projection 2301 c of the lever 2301 slides. The side plate2303 displaces in direction C or direction D along the left side of thehousing 50. On a section of the side plate 2303, an engaging section2303 a is formed which engages with the projection 1039 a formed on theplate 1039. The projection 1039 a separates from and releases engagementwith the engaging section 2303 a when the side plate displaces indirection C. When the projection 1039 a is engaged with the engagingsection 2303 a, the plate 1039 rotates in a clockwise direction. Thusthe gear 1037 and the gear 1038 mesh and the drive roller 101 rotates.However when engagement with the engaging section 2303 a is released,the plate 1039 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, the engagement ofthe gear 1037 and the gear 1038 is released, the gear 1036 and the gear1042 engage and the rack plate 1043 is displaced. That is to say, thedisk insertion/ejection mechanism is displaced.

[0236]2304 is a cam plate (discussed in detail below) and 2305 is aplate. An engaging section 2305 a is formed on one end of the plate2305. One end of the cam plate 2304 abuts with the engaging section 2305a and the other end abuts with a section of the second plate 2004. As aresult, when the cam plate 2304 displaces in direction A, the plate 2305displaces in direction A due to linked motion. Furthermore the secondplate 2004 also displaces in direction A and displaces the side plate2303 in direction C through the lever 2301.

[0237] When the disk position determination mechanism 2000 is not inoperation, that is to say, when a disk is not inserted, it is sometimesnecessary to displace the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000. Thusthe cam plate 2304 is adapted to displace in direction A due to beingdriven by the fixed drive source.

[0238] Of course, it is needless to say that even during a diskinsertion/ejection operation by the disk insertion/ejection mechanism1000, that is to say, when the third lever 2007 displaces, the sideplate 2303 may be displaced.

[0239] Next the operation of the drive force transmission switchingmechanism 2300 will be described with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 22.

[0240]FIG. 19 shows the drive roller 101 rotating with the projection1039 a formed on the plate 1039 engaged to the engaging section 2303 aof the side plate 2303. FIG. 20 shows the side plate 2303 displaced indirection C by the displacement of the third lever 2007 as a result of adisk inserted through the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000. Theengagement of the projection 1039 a of the plate 1039 with the engagingsection 2303 a is released and the plate 1039 rotates in ananti-clockwise direction. The gear 1037 meshes with the gear 1038 andthe rack plate 1043 may be displaced. In FIG. 21, when the disk positiondetermination mechanism 2000 does not operate, that is to say, when adisk is not inserted, the cam plate 2304 is displaced in direction A bybeing driven by the fixed drive source when it is required to displacethe disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000. The engagement of theprojection 1039 a of the plate 1039 and the engaging section 2303 a isreleased and the plate 1039 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Thegear 1037 meshes with the gear 1038 and the rack plate 1043 can bedisplaced.

[0241] In FIG. 22, the cam plate 2304 is shown as further displaced indirection A, the engaging section 2305 a of the plate 2305 completes therotation operation of the plate 2305 by riding over the cam plate 2304.

[0242] 4. Disk Support Mechanism

[0243]FIG. 23 is a view from the upper surface of the main components ofthe device. (b) is a left side view of (a) and shows inner componentsseen form the left side. (c) is a right side view of (a) and shows innercomponents seen form the right side. The structure and operation of thedisk support mechanism 3000 will be described with reference to FIG. 23.

[0244]3001 is a gear which rotates due to a drive force from a motor(discussed below) disposed on a lower section of the disk playingmechanism 4000. The gear 3001 meshes with a gear 3002 and this gear 3002meshes with a gear 3003. That is to say, the rotating operation of thegear 3001 is linked and the gear 3003 is adapted to rotate via the gear3002.

[0245]FIG. 16 has already been described, however a rack section 2201 bis formed which meshes with the gear 3003 on the plate 2202. Projections2201 c, 2201 d are formed which are fixed with a play to be sidablerespectively in the two elongated holes formed on the housing 50.

[0246]3004 is a base plate which forms an elongated hole in twopositions in one corner of a lateral section on the side of the housing.Projections 3004 a, 3004 b are formed which are fixed with a play toslide respectively in these elongated holes. A projection 3004 c isformed which is fixed with a play to slide in the elongated hole 2201 eformed on the plate 2201. The base plate 3004 displaces together withthe elongated hole 2201 e of the plate 2201 in direction A when theplate 2201 displaces in direction A. The elongated hole 2201 c inclinesdownwardly as a result, and the base plate 3004 also is depresseddownwardly by the displacement of the plate 2201 in direction A. This isthe result of the device being adapted to mount a designated disksupported by the support mechanism on the turntable (discussed below) ofthe disk playing mechanism which is disposed in proximity to the baseplate 3004 as a result of the base plate 3004 being displaceddownwardly.

[0247] First and second retaining arms 3005, 3006 are provided to rotatefreely at a fixed interval on the base plate 3004. Respective grooves3005 a, 3006 a are formed on the distal sections of the first and secondretaining arms 3005, 3006. A section of the peripheral section of thedisk engages with the grooves 3005 a, 3006 a and retains the disk.

[0248] An elongated hole 2201 f is formed on the plate 2201 which variesthe angle of inclination so as to correspond with the respectivediffering operational modes as shown in FIG. 24(d).

[0249]3007 is a freely rotating first lever on one section of which aprojection is formed which is fixed with a play to slide in theelongated hole 2201 f. The rotation shaft 3007 a of this first lever3007 is formed to be hollow. One section has respectively flat sectionswhich are approximately parallel. A projection 3007 b which projects inan approximately vertical direction is formed with respect to therotation shaft on one end of the rotation shaft 3007 a of the firstlever 3007. The projection 3007 b is fixed with a play to slide in theelongated hole 2201 f of the plate 2201.

[0250] Since a plurality of angles of inclination are set for theelongated hole 2201 f, the first lever 3007 rotates being linked to thedisplacement of the projection 3007 b of the first lever 3007 inresponse to the angle of inclination of the elongated hole 2201 ftogether with the displacement of the plate 2201. That is to say, whenthe plate 2201 displaces in direction A, the first lever 3007 rotates ina clockwise direction and when it displaces in direction B, the firstlever 3007 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction.

[0251] A rotation shaft 3005 b is formed on the first retaining arm 3005which is housed in the hollow section 3007 a of the first lever 3007. Aprojection 3007 c is formed on the other end. One section of therotation shaft 3005 b forms respectively flat sections which areapproximately parallel. The rotation operation of the first lever 3007is linked and performs the rotation of the first retaining arm as theflat sections formed on the rotation shaft 3005 b of the first retainingarm 3005 and the flat section 3007 a formed on the hollow section of thefirst lever 3007 are engaged. Since the first retaining arm 3005 and thefirst lever 3007 have the above relationship, the first retaining arm isadapted to displace in the direction of the rotation shaft with respectto the first lever 3007.

[0252] That is to say, the first lever 3007 comprises a section of thedisk position determination mechanism and the disk positiondetermination mechanism itself does not displace in the axial direction,or conversely does not displace in a rising direction. On the otherhand, the first retaining arm 3005, and the second retaining arm 3006are adapted to displace in the axial direction.

[0253]3008 is a second lever on one end of which an elongated hole 3008a is formed which loosely fixes a projection 3005 c formed on said firstretaining arm 3005 so that the projection can slide. The second lever3008 is formed to rotate about a rotation shaft 3008 b. The second lever3008 is adapted to rotation in an anti-clockwise direction being linkedto the rotation of the first lever 3007 in a clockwise direction.

[0254]3009 is a third lever forming a projection 3009 a on one end and aprojection 3009 b on another end. The projection 3009 a of the thirdlever 3009 is fixed loosely to slide in an elongated hole 3008 c formedon the second lever 3008 and displaces in direction C being linked tothe displacement of the second lever 3008 in an anti-clockwisedirection.

[0255]3010 is a fourth lever forming on one end an elongated hole 3010 awhich loosely fixes a projection 3009 b formed on the third lever 3009so that the projection 3009 b can slide. The fourth lever 3010 canrotate about a rotation shaft 3010 b. When the third lever 3009displaces in the direction C, the fourth lever 3010 is linked to thedisplacement and rotates in an anti-clockwise direction.

[0256]3011 is a fifth lever forming an elongated hole 3011 a on one end.The elongated hole 3011 a loosely fixes a projection 3010 c which isformed on the other end of the fourth lever 3010 in a slidable position.

[0257]3012 is a third retaining arm forming a groove 3012 a whichretains a disk. The front section of the third retaining arm 3012engages with a peripheral section of the disk. The third retaining arm3012 is linked to the displacement of the fifth lever 3011 in directionD and rotates in an anti-clockwise direction.

[0258]4000 is a disk playing mechanism which plays a disk. Since theoptical pickup and the turntable provided in order to perform playing ofthe disk will be described in detail below further description will beomitted.

[0259] The disk playing mechanism 4000 is adapted to rotate in ananti-clockwise direction about a rotation axis X and to be linked to therotation of the gear 3001. That is to say, the respective displacementof disk support mechanism 3000 and the disk playing mechanism areadapted to be synchronized.

[0260] Next the operation of the disk support mechanism will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 25 to FIG. 32. In FIG. 25 and FIG. 26,a disk inserted through the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is placedin a determined position by the disk position determination mechanism2000. The disk support arms 301, 302 and 303 for refuge to a refugeposition and the disk playing mechanism 4000 also refuges to a refugeposition.

[0261] In FIG. 27, the cam plate 2201 is displaced in direction A due toa drive force (discussed below) transmitted from the disk playingmechanism 4000. The disk support mechanism 3000 rotates approximatelyparallel to the face of the disk towards the disk and supports a sectionof the outer periphery of the disk. In FIG. 28, the cam plate 2201 isfurther displaced in direction A and the disk playing mechanism 4000rotates in an anti-clockwise direction and displaces to a disk playingposition from the refuge position. At this point, the rotational axis ofthe turntable 4101 a (discussed below) and the rotational axis of thedisk supported by the disk support mechanism 3000 are in alignment.

[0262] In FIG. 29, the cam plate 2201 displaces further in direction Aand the disk support mechanism 3000 displaces towards the turntable 4101a, that is to say, is displaced upwardly. In this way, inner diameter ofthe disk engages with the engaging section (discussed below) formed onthe turntable 4101 a and the mounting operation on the turntable 4101 ais completed.

[0263] In FIG. 30, the cam plate 2201 displaces further in direction Aand the clamp mechanism 4200 of the disk playing mechanism 4000 clampsthe disk. After clamping, the support arms 301, 302, 303 of the disksupport mechanism 3000 displace to a refuge position, and afterdisplacement to the refuge position, the lock of the fixed disk playingmechanism is released and is in a floating state. After completion ofthe operation of lock release, the disk playing operation is commenced.

[0264] The contents of the description above were based on the operationusing a large diameter disk (for example a 12 cm disk). However belowthe description of the operation with respect to a small diameter disk(for example a 8 cm disk) will only detail the points of difference tothe large diameter disk operation.

[0265] In contrast to the large diameter disk operation as shown in FIG.28 and FIG. 29, the small disk operation is shown in FIG. 31 and FIG.32. In these figures, the rotation displacement amount of the supportarms 301, 302, 303 is increased in order to support the outer peripheryof the disk.

[0266] 5. Disk Playing Mechanism

[0267]FIG. 33 is a perspective view of component of the device accordingto the present invention. The operation and structure of the diskplaying device 4000 will be described with reference to FIG. 33.

[0268] The disk playing mechanism 4000 is divided into the fivefollowing mechanisms, that is to say, the playing mechanism 4100, theclamp mechanism 4200, the fixing mechanism 4300, the rotation mechanism4400 and the base mechanism 4500.

[0269] Firstly, the playing mechanism 4100 comprises an optical pickupwhich reads a signal recorded on the disk and a feed mechanism for theoptical pickup and a mechanism for playing the disk such as a turntablewhich mounts the disk. The clamp mechanism 4200 comprises mechanismwhich clamps the disk when the disk is mounted on the turntable providedfor mounting disks. The fixing mechanism 4300 is a mechanism which fixesand releases the floating state of the disk playing mechanism whenplaying a disk or when the disk playing mechanism is in a floating stateor when a disk is not played.

[0270] The rotation mechanism 4400 is a mechanism which is displaced bythe rotation action of rotating between a refuge position which refugesthe disk playing mechanism and the playing position which performs theplaying action for disks. The base mechanism 4500 comprises the motor4501 which functioning as a source of motive force which performs fixedoperations on the clamp mechanism 4200, the fixing mechanism 4300 andthe rotation mechanism 4300, the transmission mechanism which transmitsthe drive force of the motor 4501 to the clamp mechanism 4200, thefixing mechanism 4300 and the rotation mechanism 4400 and the mountingbase 4503 which mounted the components of the playing mechanism 4100,the clamp mechanism 4200, the fixing mechanism 4300 and the rotationmechanism 4400.

[0271] The playing mechanism 4100 comprises a spindle motor 4101 whichrotates a disk, the playing base 4102 which supports the spindle motor4101, the pickup 4103 which reads information loaded on the disk and thepickup transfer mechanism 4104 which displaces the pickup 4103 betweenthe outer and inner peripheral section of the disk surface.

[0272] A turntable 4101 a is mounted which has the function of mountinga disk on a rotation rotor of the spindle motor 4101. An engagingsection 4101 b which engages with the inner diameter of the disk isformed on the turntable 4101 a.

[0273] A projection 4304 is formed on the playing base 4102. In order tosecure the floating state of the projection 4304, a lock lever 4303(discussed below) provided on the rotation base 4401 (discussed below)secures the projection 4304.

[0274] On the clamp mechanism 4200, a clamp 4201 which performs clampingof the disk by pressuring a disk mounted on the turntable towards theturntable, a clamp cap 4202 which supports an approximately centralsection of the clamp 4201 and allows the clamp 4201 to rotate, a clamparm 4203 which is mounted on the clamp cap, and a hole 4203 a on asection of the clamp arm 4203 are formed. A projection 4102 a which isformed on a section of the playing base 4102 is loosely fixed to rotatein the hole 4203 a. Furthermore a displacement mechanism 4204 is formedwhich displaces the clamp arm 4203 to a fixed operational position(playing operation position or refuge position).

[0275] The lock mechanism 4300 is provided with an oil damper 4301 whichis disposed between the playing base 4102 and the rotation base 4401(discussed below) and a spring 4302 which is disposed between theplaying base 4102 and the rotation base 4401 so that an outer peripheralsection of the oil damper is covered. The playing base 4102 normallyfloats on the rotation base 4401 due to the spring 4302 and the oildamper 4301. Switching from a floating to a fixed state is performed asstated above.

[0276] The rotation mechanism 4400 is a rotation base 4401 which isprovided with a playing mechanism 4100, a clamp mechanism 4200 and afixing mechanism 4300. The rotation base 4401 is adapted to rotatebetween a playing position and a refuge position on an shaft 4503extending from the mounting base 4501 (discussed below).

[0277] The base mechanism 4500 is provided with a base 4501 mounted onthe housing 50. On the mounting base 4501, a motor 4502 and a driveforce transmission mechanism (not shown) of the motor 4502 are provided.A cam plate 4503 is provided which displaces in direction A due to thedrive force transmitted from the drive force transmission mechanism.

[0278] The operation of the rotation mechanism 4400 and the basemechanism 4500 will be explained mainly using FIG. 35 to FIG. 44.

[0279] Firstly with reference to FIG. 35 and FIG. 36, the operation ofthe base mechanism 4500 will be described. The worm gear 4504, the largediameter gear and the small diameter gear provided on the rotation shaftof the motor 4502 mounted on the mounting base 4501 mesh with the largediameter gear of the co-axially integrated gear 4505. The large diametergear of the gear 4505 and the integrated small radius gear meshes withthe rack section 4503 a of the cam plate 4503 formed on the rack 4503 a.

[0280] By such an arrangement, the cam plate 4503 is displaced indirection A or direction B through the gear 4505 being linked to therotation of the motor 4502. Elongated holes 4503 b, 4503 c are formedtowards the base 4501 of the cam plate 4503. Projections 4506, 4507which extend from the housing 50 are loosely fixed and slide in therespective elongated holes 4503 b, 4503 c. A cam groove 4503 d whichcontrols the rotation of the rotation mechanism 4400 and a cam groove4503 e which controls the disk clamping operation of the clamp mechanism4200 are formed on the cam plate 4503. A rack section 4503 f is formedat positions on the rack plate 4503 which sandwich the elongated groove4503 c with respect to the rack section 4503 a. By this structure, therack 4503 f meshes with the gear 3001, the plate 2201 can be displacedand the disk support mechanism 3000 can be driven.

[0281] A rack plate 4508 is formed in the fixing mechanism 4300 and setsthe playing base 4102 to a fixed or a floating state.

[0282] With reference to FIG. 39 and FIG. 40, a hole 4401 a is providedon the rotation base 4401 and acts as a rotation center when rotating ineither a refuge position or a position which plays a disk by arotational operation. A projection 4506 which extends from the housing50 to the hole 4401 a is loosely fixed and rotates approximatelyparallel to the disk surface of the disk which is played.

[0283] A mounting plate 4402 is disposed on a rear face of the rotationbase 4401 and is provided with a projection 4402 a which engages withthe cam groove 4503 d of the cam plate 4503. Thus the cam plate 4503displaces in direction A as shown in FIG. 41 (disk playing mechanismrefuge position) to FIG. 44 (disk playing position) and the rotationbase 4401 is rotated in response to each groove position of the camgroove 4503 d of the cam plate 4503.

[0284] With reference to FIG. 39, stoppers 5241 (discussed below) formedon the threaded element 5240 of the disk loading mechanism 5000 on theface of the rotation base 4401 are guided and determined to a fixedposition. A fixing section 4403 which can be fixed to the stopper 5241is formed which is fixed to the stopper 5241 during disk playing andreleased from the stopper 5241 during other operations.

[0285] The fixing section 4403 has a width which corresponds to thediameter of the stopper 5241 and only fixes that stopper 5241 to theposition determining section 4403 a, which represents a fixed position.When members other than the stopper 5241 come into play, refugingsections 4403 b, 4403 c, 4403 d perform refuging operations so that theposition is not determined by the position determination section 4403 a.

[0286] The position of the position determination section 4403 a is setso as to be co-axially disposed with respect to the rotation shaft ofthe spindle motor 4101 of the playing mechanism 4100 which is disposedabove the rotation base 4401. When a disk is played, since thepositional relationship of the rotation shaft of the disk loadingmechanism 5000 (discussed below) and the rotated disk playing mechanism4000 is not always equal, the disk is mounted on the turntable and aseries of operations is performed until disk play is accomplished. As aresult it is possible to improve the reliability of the disk device.

[0287] 6. Disk Loading Mechanism

[0288]FIG. 61 is a perspective view of the outer appearance of a diskloading mechanism. FIG. 62 is an exploded view of the components of adisk loading mechanism. FIG. 61 (a)-(d) shows the operation of the diskloading mechanism components. FIG. 62 (a) is a lateral view of thecomponents, (b) is an upper view showing an upper face corresponding toeach component as shown in (a).

[0289] The schematic components of the disk loading mechanism 5000 willbe described with reference to FIG. 61. Details of each component willbe described with reference to FIG. 62.

[0290] In FIG. 61, the disk loading mechanism 5000 is broadly dividedinto four component mechanisms. A first mandrel mechanism 5100, a secondmandrel mechanism 5200, a third mandrel mechanism 5300, and a disksupporting mechanism 5400 are provided. The first mandrel mechanism 5100is disposed to rotate due to the rotational force of a drive source(discussed below) and a section is fixed to a roof section of thehousing 50. The second mandrel mechanism 5200 which is disposed torotate due to the rotational force of a drive source (discussed below)and a section is fixed to a bottom section of the housing 50. The thirdmandrel mechanism 5300 which is disposed to displace the direction of arotation shaft in response to the rotations of the second mandrelmechanism 5200 and is disposed so that the second mandrel mechanism 5200is engaged to an inner section. The donut-shaped disk supportingmechanism 5400 is fixed with a play to the first mandrel mechanism 5100and the third mandrel mechanism 5300 and forms a projection on aperipheral section which is engagable with the grooves formed on thethird mandrel mechanism 5300 and the first mandrel mechanism 5100.

[0291] The disk support mechanism 5400 displaces towards the rotationalshaft along the groove on the third mandrel mechanism 5300 and thegroove of the first mandrel mechanism 5100 in response to the rotationalaction of the third mandrel mechanism 5300 and the first mandrelmechanism 5100. That is to say, the disk support mechanism 5400 isadapted to displace freely in a vertical direction with respect to thedevice and to have the function of supporting disks.

[0292] One end of the first mandrel mechanism 5100 is mounted on thegear 5111 through a roof plate of the housing 50. A rotatable firstguide member 5110 forms three grooves 5112-5114 on an outer periphery. Aring-shaped biased spring member 5120 is disposed on the inner section5115 of the first guide member 5110 and biases the first guide member5110 in direction A. The three grooves 5112-5114 open at positions whichcorrespond to the other end of the first guide section 5110. This mouthcorresponds with an mouth of the groove formed on the second guidesection (discussed below).

[0293] A hollow first holder 5130 is provided to guide the first guidemember 5110 to an inner peripheral section 5131. The first guide member5110 is maintained on the housing 50 by fixation of a section of thefirst guide member 5110 to a roof section of the housing 50. Three slits5132-5134 are formed at equal intervals along the axial direction on thefirst holder 5130. The opening face of these slits 5132-5134 hasopenings 5132 a-5134 a.

[0294] Three indentations 5135-5137 are formed at equal intervals on theouter periphery of the opening face on the first holder 5130. Threeindentations 5115-5117 are formed at equal intervals on the outerperiphery of the other end face of the first guide section 5110.

[0295] The second mandrel section 5200 comprises a second holder 5210, ashaft 5220, a second guide member 5230 and a threaded member 5240. Thesecond holder 5210 is formed in a hollow shape and one end abuts withthe bottom face of the housing 50. The shaft 5220 is loaded in thesecond holder 5120, one end abuts with the bottom face of the housing 50and functions as a rotating shaft for the second guide 5230 (discussedbelow). The second guide member 5230 loosely fixes the shaft 5220 as arotation shaft and forms three grooves 5321-5233 in an outer peripheralsection. The threaded member 5240 prevents separation of the secondguide 5230 from the other end of the shaft 5220 after the second guidemember 5230 is fixed loosely to the shaft 5220. Although being securedby the threaded member to the second guide 5230 can rotate the shaft5220 as a rotation shaft. Furthermore a stopper 5241 is formed on thethreaded member 5240 on the opposite side to that fixed by the spring.The stopper 5241 fixes the stopper of the disk playing mechanism whichis rotated to a playing position.

[0296] The second guide member 5230 has a gear 5234 on and end face nearthe bottom of the housing 50. The gear 5234 is linked to thetransmission mechanism of the roller displacement mechanism 103 (notshown). Six slits 5211-5216 are formed at equal intervals along theaxial direction on the second holder 5210.

[0297] The third mandrel mechanism 5300 comprises the third holder 5301which is formed hollow and has three projections 5302-5304 formed inequal intervals on an inner peripheral section. Three guide sections5305-5307 are formed at equal intervals along the axial direction of theouter peripheral section and three slits 5308-5310 are formed at equalintervals along the axial direction. The third holder 5301 is arrangedso that the slits 5213-5216 of the second holder 5210 guide the guidesections 5305-5307 of the third holder 5301 and displaces the thirdholder 5301 in a rotation shaft direction.

[0298] The third holder 5301 forms three projections 5311-5313 at equalintervals on an end face towards the roof of the housing 50. When thethird holder 5301 displaces in the rotation shaft direction, theprojections 5311-5313 respectively engage with the indentations5135-5137 of the first holder 5130. Notched claws 5314-5316 are formedon a section of the outer peripheral face. The projections 5302-5304formed on the inner peripheral section engage slidably with grooves5231-5233 of the second guide section 5230, are linked with the rotationof the second guide and can displace in the direction of the rotationalaxis of the third holder 5301.

[0299] A third guide 5330 is provided forming spiral shaped grooves5332-5234 and a concentric groove 5331 on an outer peripheral face andis fixed with a play into the third holder 5301. The end face of thespiral shaped grooves 5332-5334 of the third guide 5330 near to the roofof the housing are open and this open face is linked to the open face ofthe spiral shaped grooves 5112-5114 of the first guide 5110 when thethird mandrel mechanism 5300 and the first mandrel mechanism 5100 arelinked. The third mandrel mechanism 5300 is formed hollow and the secondguide 5230 is fixed therein with a play. The third mandrel mechanism isadapted to displace in the direction of a rotation shaft in response tothe rotations of the second guide 5230.

[0300] A section of the claw 5313-5316 formed on the third holder 5301projects inwardly. The distal end of the claw abuts with theconcentrically shaped groove 5331 formed on the third guide 5330, thatis to say, it is fixed. Due to such an arrangement, the third holder5301 rotates freely so that the third guide 5330 does not separate fromthe third holder 5301. Three projections are formed at equal intervalson the third holder 5330 which project towards the roof face on the endface towards the roof of the housing 50.

[0301] When the third guide 5330 displaces in a direction of arotational shaft together with the third holder based on the rotationsof the second guide 5230 and displaces towards the roof of the housing,the projections 5335-5337 formed on the third guide engage and arelinked with the indentations 5135-5137 of the first guide 5110. When thethird guide 5330 and the first guide 5110 are linked, the rotation ofthe gear 5234 formed on the second guide 5230 is fixed and the gear 5111engaged with the first guide 5110 is rotated. Thus the first guide 5110and the third guide 5330 become integrated and a rotation action isperformed on the integrated basis. In this case, no displacement occursin the direction of the rotational axis.

[0302]5400 is a support mechanism. On the surface facing the disk, thesupport mechanism 5400 comprises a first support section 5411 of theflat section which abuts with and supports a section of the innerperiphery of the disk. The proximity of the inner periphery is somewhatthickened and comprises a section support section 5412. A first spacer5410 is provided with which the inner diameter of the of the disk isengaged on the second support section 5412. The first spacer 5410 formsthree projections 5413-5415 at equal distances on an inner section. Theprojections 5413-5415 are adapted to slidably engage with the grooves5112-5114 of the first guide member 5110 and with the grooves 5332-5334of the third guide member. The first spacer 5410 is adapted to displacebased on the rotation of the first guide member 5110 and the third guidemember towards the rotation shaft so that the flat section isapproximately perpendicular to the rotation shaft.

[0303] A first plate spring 5420 is fixed to the opposite face of thefirst support section 5411 which abuts with and supports the disk. Thefirst plate spring 5420 has a larger diameter than the first spacer5410. A peripheral section of the first plate spring 5420 extend towardsthe rotation shaft and in the present embodiment four extend downwardlyat equal intervals. In the present embodiment of the present invention,four projections project at equal intervals downwardly in the device.These projections 5421-5424 are biased towards a lower section of thedevice.

[0304] In FIG. 62, only a first spacer 5410 and a first plate spring5420 are given as examples of a spacer and a plate spring. However thisembodiment of the present device is adapted to load six disks withrespective spacers and springs provided for each disk. (The structure ofthe other spacers and other plate springs is the same as that of thefirst spacer 5410 and a first plate spring 5420. The order of firstspacer and spring to sixth spacer and spring is provided from the uppersection of the device to the lower section of the device.) That is tosay, these components are disposed from the upper section to the lowersection of the device in the order given below.

[0305] {circle over (1)} Upper biasing member (uppermost step), {circleover (2)} Plate spring member, {circle over (3)} First spacer, {circleover (4)} First plate spring member, {circle over (5)} Second spacer,{circle over (6)} Second plate spring member, {circle over (7)} Thirdspacer, {circle over (8)} Third plate spring member, {circle over (9)}Fourth spacer, {circle over (10)} Fourth plate spring member, {circleover (11)} Fifth spacer, {circle over (12)} Fifth plate spring member,{circle over (13)} Sixth spacer, {circle over (14)} Sixth plate springmember (lowermost step).

[0306] On the support mechanism 5400, a plate spring (not shown in thefigure, but the same as the first plate spring 5420) is provided whichis disposed on the upper step of the first spacer 5410 which biases thedisk downwardly by abutting. An upper biasing member 5430 is providedwhich grips the disk with the first support section 5411 of the firstspacer 5410 and the plate spring. The upper biasing member 5430 isprovided with an approximately central hole in the same way as the firstplate spring 5420 and the first spacer 5410. Three projections 5432-5434are provided at equal intervals in the inner peripheral section of theapproximately central hole. The upper biasing member 5430 is adapted inthe same way as the first spacer 5410 so that the three projections5432-5434 are disposed to slidably engage with the grooves 5332-5334 ofthe third guide member and the grooves 5112-5114 of the first guidemember 5110. The upper biasing section 5430 is adapted to displacetowards a rotation shaft based on the rotational operation of the firstguide member 5430 and the third guide member.

[0307] When the spacer supports a disk, since the plate springimmediately above the spacer biases the disk towards the spacer (forexample, when a disk is loaded in the third spacer, the second platespring immediately above biases the disk onto the third spacer), thedisk is more firmly supported (retained).

[0308] The projections 5421-5424 of the first plate spring 5420 are alladapted to extend in the same direction, that is to say as shown in FIG.62, from a right hand direction to a left hand direction.

[0309] Using FIG. 63-FIG. 97, the operation of the disk loadingmechanism will be described. Firstly, the principle of varying theheight of the disk will be described based on FIG. 96 and FIG. 97. Inthe figures, a groove formed on a first mandrel mechanism 5100 and athird mandrel mechanism 5300 will be described. These figures aredevelopment elevations open along a rotation shaft. FIG. 96 shows aseparated state of the third guide member 5330 and the first guidemember 5510. FIG. 97 shows a linked state of the third guide member 5330and the first guide member 5510. The separated state of the third guidemember 5330 and the first guide member 5510 as shown in FIG. 96 is setto the position of the disk insertion/ejection operation or the diskplaying operation. The linked state of the third guide member 5330 andthe first guide member 5510 as shown in FIG. 97 is set to the positionof varying the height of a disk which is loaded in the disk loadingmechanism. In FIG. 96, in the first guide member 5510, projectionsformed on the first, second and third spacers, and the upper biasingsection are fixed with a play to each groove ( shows the position ofeach projection). In the third guide member 5330, projections formed onthe fourth, fifth and sixth spacers are fixed with a play to eachgroove. The gaps between each groove is as shown in the figure. In FIG.97, the fourth disk R is shown as the disk to be the object of anoperation. Furthermore the projections 5551, 5552 of the fourth spacerwhich supports the fourth disk R are shown. By the arrangement above,when the disk supporting mechanism 3000 supports a disk which isindicated from among the disks loaded in the disk loading mechanism5000, a mechanism is provided to prevent the disk support mechanism 3000from coming into contact with linked disks when the disk supportmechanism 3000 is interposed between disks adjacent to disk R.

[0310] In the figure, three respective grooves are formed on the firstand third guide members, 5510, 5330. That is to say, on the first guidemember 5510, grooves 5112, 5113, 5114 are formed, and on the secondguide member 5530, grooves 5332, 5333, 5334 are formed. The threegrooves have the same structure and are formed with a 120 degree phasedifference. When the disk loading mechanism 5000 rotates through 120degrees, this results in either the operation of the raising of theheight of the disk by one step or the lowering of the height of the diskthrough one step. As shown in FIG. 96 and FIG. 97, with respect to thegroove of the first guide member 5510, the right end of the first groove5512 is fixed to the left end of the first groove 5512 b and the rightend of the first groove 5512 b is fixed to the left end of the firstgroove 5512 c to form a single groove. Since the second grooves 5513a-5513 c and the third grooves 5514 a-5514 c are formed in the same wayas the first groove as described above, further description will beomitted. Furthermore since the grooves 5332, 5533, 5534 of the thirdguide member 5530 are formed in the same way as the first groove 5512 aof the first guide member 5510 above, further description will beomitted. When the device is set to the state as shown in FIG. 97 fromthe state as shown in FIG. 96, that is to say, after the device is setto a linked state from a state in which the first guide member 5510 andthe third guide member 5330 are separated, the disk R which is theobject of the operation is rotated through a fixed angle in a directionwhich raises the disk by a step, (the first and third guide memberrotate in an anti-clockwise direction) and the device is set to theposition as shown in FIG. 97. The projections 5302, 5303, 5304 of thethird holder 5301 in the grooves 5231, 5232, 5233 of the second guidemember 5230 have the function of retaining the third guide member 5330in a rotatable state. Thus the device shifts from the state as shown inFIG. 96 to the state as shown in FIG. 97, due to the second guide member5230 rotating (the position as shown in FIG. 96 shows the second guidemember 5230 completely fixed with a play to the inner section of thethird guide member 5330).

[0311] As described above, when the first guide member 5110 and thethird guide member 5330 are separated, the position at which theprojection formed on the spacer is loosely fixed is as shown in FIG. 96.On the other hand, when the disk which is to be the object of anoperation is supported and refuged by the disk support mechanism 3000,the position of fixation of the projection is as shown in FIG. 97.

[0312] That is to say, when the first guide member 5110 and the thirdguide member 5330 are linked and the disk to be the object of anoperation becomes selectable, firstly the device displaces to theposition as shown in FIG. 97. Thereafter the disk to be the object of anoperation is set to the position of the disk R. As a result of such anoperation, the plate spring member mounted on the spacer on which a diskis loaded which is one step higher than the disk R to be the object ofan operation is adapted to bias the disk R to be the object of anoperation downwardly. Thus the disk R to be the object of an operationis firmly biased to prevent a shaking movement. Thus the supportingaction of the disk supporting mechanism 3000 with respect to the disk Rto be the object of an operation is facilitated.

[0313] On the other hand, when the first guide member 5110 and the thirdguide member 5330 are separated, firstly as shown in FIG. 96, the diskwhich is disposed one step higher than the disk R which is the object ofthe operation when the above components are linked is displaced to thegroove of the first guide member 5110 from the third guide member 5330.

[0314] Next a sequence of operations of the disk loading mechanism 5000will be described. In the figures, (b) is a development elevationshowing the positional relationship between the first member 5110, thesecond guide member 5230 and the third guide member 5330 during theoperation as shown in (a). That is to say, it shows the positionalrelationship of the groove with the projection of each spacer.

[0315] Firstly as shown in FIG. 67, the disk R1 is supported by the disksupport mechanism 3000 (not shown in the present figure). The firstguide member 5110 and the third guide member 5330 become linkedthereafter in FIG. 70 due to the operation as shown in FIG. 68 and FIG.69.

[0316] The operation of each mandrel mechanism from that as shown inFIG. 67 to that as shown in FIG. 70 will be described using FIG. 65 andFIG. 66.

[0317] In the figures, the projection 1043 c of the plate 1043 abutswith a projection 6001 a formed on one end of the lever 6001 due to thedisplacement of the plate 1043 in direction A. Together with thedisplacement of the plate 1043, the lever 6001 rotates in direction C. Agear section 6001 b is formed on the curved section of the lever 6001.Together with the displacement of the lever in direction B, the gearlink which meshes with the gear section 6001 b is rotated. Suchrotations are transmitted to the gear section 5234 formed on a lower endof the second guide member 5234 and thus the gear section 5234 isrotated. That is to say, the second guide member 5230 is rotated and thethird mandrel mechanism 5300 is displaced in the direction of therotation shaft (in the present embodiment, the third mandrel mechanism5300 displaces towards an upper section of the device). On the otherhand, when the operation of returning the plate 1043 in direction B isperformed, the linked lever 6001 is rotated in direction D and the thirdmandrel mechanism 5300 is displaced in the direction of the rotationshaft (in the present embodiment, the third mandrel mechanism 5300displaces towards an lower section of the device).

[0318] By such an operation, the third mandrel mechanism 5300 slowlyrises to a proximate position with the first mandrel mechanism 5100 dueto the rotational operation of the second guide member as shown in FIG.68 and FIG. 69.

[0319] As shown in FIG. 66, the plate 1043 reaches a position completingthe displacement operation and the first mandrel mechanism 5100 and thethird mandrel mechanism 5300 are linked as shown in FIG. 70. Theindentations 5135, 5136, 5137 of the first holder 5130 are engaged withthe projections 5311, 5312, 5313 of the third holder 5301. Theindentations 5115, 5116, 5117 of the first guide member 5110 are engagedwith the projections 5335, 5336, 5337 of the third guide member 5330.The respective openings of the grooves 5112, 5112, 5113 of the firstguide member 5110 and the grooves 5332, 5333, 5334 of the third guidemember 5330 are aligned, that is to say, so that three linked groovesare formed. Furthermore the respective openings of the slits 5132, 5133,5134 of the first guide member 5110 and the slits 5308, 5309, 5310 ofthe third holder 5301 are aligned so that three linked slits are formed.

[0320] The operation of varying the height of a section of a disk isperformed as shown in FIG. 70 and FIG. 71. The operation of varying theheight of a disk will be described with reference to FIG. 63. In FIG.71, the rear side of the roof section of the housing 50 is shown. In thefigure, the drive force of a motor 6003 which provides worm gear 6003 aon a rotation shaft is transmitted through a gear link 6004 to rotate agear 5111 with which the gear link 6004 meshes. In this way, the firstguide member 5110 which is integrated with the gear 5111 is adapted torotate. The upper biasing section 5430 and the first to sixth spacersare adapted to displace in the direction of a rotation shaft due to therotating operation of the first guide member 5110. In the FIG. 70, aspace D1 is provided between the disk R1 which is the object of theoperation and the disk R2 which is positioned one step above the diskR1. When the operation as shown in FIG. 71 is performed, the gap D1between the disk R1 which is the object of the operation and the disk R2which is positioned one step above the disk R1 becomes smaller anddisplaces the spacer to the position D2. That is to say, the narrowingof the gap from D1 to D2 displaces the spacer which is positionedbetween the disk R1 and the disk R2 to a proximate position with respectto the disk R1 and allows the force of biasing of the plate springmember integrated with the spacer to operate. Thus the disk R1 is biasedin a downward direction in the device and it is possible to preventshaking of the disk R.

[0321] The exchange of a disk R1 to be the object of an operation to adisk R3 which is loaded in a disk loading mechanism 5000 was describedby the above series of operations. However after the operation in FIG.71, when the disk R3 is played, an opposite sequence of operations tothat described above is performed. That is to say, the sequence ofoperations from FIG. 71 to FIG. 67 is performed (the selected disk isthe disk R1, however this is changed to R3) and thus the disk is playedand the device is in the position (state) as shown in FIG. 73.

[0322] 7. Description of the Operation of the Entire Device

[0323]FIG. 99 to FIG. 101 describe the operational state of eachcomponent in each operational mode of the entire device. FIG. 99 showsthe insertion of a disk from the disk insertion mouth, and the operationof each component up to playing the disk. FIG. 100 shows the operationof each component from the playing of a disk to the ejection of theplayed disk from the insertion mouth. FIG. 101 shows a disk played bythe disk playing mechanism 4000 as loaded in the disk loading mechanism5000 and a single disk which is retained by the disk loading mechanism5000 being exchanged for a disk to be played. To give an example, thefigures show the operational state of each component when the deviceshifts from a state in which there are 4 play disks and 1 loaded disk toa state in which there are 4 played disks and one loaded disk.

[0324] The numerals on the right side denote names of operatedcomponents and the numerals on the upper step denote the sequence oftransitions in operational modes. Each numeral for each component nameshows figure numerals of components with respect to the sequence oftransitional state of operational modes.

[0325] 7-1. Description from Disk Insertion Operation to Disk PlayingOperation

[0326] Based on FIG. 99, each step (one process) performed from diskinsertion to disk playing will be described.

[0327] Firstly, when the device is in a disk insertion ready state(first step),

[0328] {circle over (1)} The drive roller 101 and the peripheralmechanisms of the drive roller 101 in the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism 1000 (hereafter termed disk insertion/ejection mechanism) aredisposed at a position (state) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0329] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000is provided in the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

[0330] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 19.

[0331] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 16.

[0332] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 13.

[0333] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 25.

[0334] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 38 (including FIG. 37, FIG. 39-FIG. 41), in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

[0335] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67.

[0336] The set position for a second step is reached.

[0337] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0338] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 7 in the direction G and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 8.

[0339] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 19, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0340] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0341] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0342] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0343] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 38 (including FIG. 37, FIG. 39-FIG. 41), in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

[0344] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0345] The set position for a third step is reached.

[0346] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0347] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000displaces further from the position as shown in FIG. 8 in the directionG and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 9.

[0348] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 19, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0349] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0350] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0351] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0352] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 38 (including FIG. 37, FIG. 39-FIG. 41), in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

[0353] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0354] The set position for a fourth step is reached.

[0355] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 2 to the direction of A andis provided in the position (state) as shown in FIG. 3.

[0356] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000displaces further from the position as shown in FIG. 9 in the directionG and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10.

[0357] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 19 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 20.

[0358] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0359] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13. Further it displaces in a verticaldirection with respect to the device and is set to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 24.

[0360] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0361] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 38 (including FIG. 37, FIG. 39-FIG. 41), in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

[0362] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0363] The set position for a fifth step is reached.

[0364] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 3, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0365] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0366] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 20 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 22.

[0367] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 16 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 17.

[0368] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13 and the vertical setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 24, in other words, the displacingoperation is not performed.

[0369] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 25 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 26.

[0370] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 38(including FIG. 37, FIG. 39-FIG. 41) and is set to the position as shownin FIG. 42a.

[0371] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0372] The set position for a sixth step is reached.

[0373] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 3, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0374] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0375] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0376] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0377] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting (state inthe fourth step) of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 13, in otherwords, the operation of displacing the switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0378] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 26 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 27.

[0379] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 42a and isset to the position as shown in FIG. 27.

[0380] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0381] The set position for a seventh step is reached.

[0382] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 3, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0383] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0384] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0385] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0386] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 13 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 14.

[0387] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0388] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0389] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0390] The set position for a eighth step is reached.

[0391] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000displaces further from the position as shown in FIG. 3 in the directionA and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4.

[0392] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 10 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[0393] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0394] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0395] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 14 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[0396] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0397] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

[0398] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0399] The set position for a ninth step is reached.

[0400] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0401] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0402] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0403] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0404] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0405] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0406] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 rotates from the position as shown in FIG. 42 and is setto the position (state) as shown in FIG. 43.

[0407] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0408] The set position for a tenth step is reached.

[0409] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0410] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0411] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0412] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0413] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0414] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 27 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 28.

[0415] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 rotates furtherfrom the position as shown in FIG. 43 and is set to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 44.

[0416] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0417] The set position for a eleventh step is reached.

[0418] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0419] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0420] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0421] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 17 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 18.

[0422] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0423] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 28 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 29.

[0424] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 44, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0425] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0426] The set position for a twelfth step is reached.

[0427] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0428] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0429] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0430] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0431] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0432] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0433] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 44 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 45 and FIG. 46 (the clampoperation is performed).

[0434] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0435] The set position for a thirteenth step is reached.

[0436] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0437] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0438] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0439] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0440] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0441] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0442] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 45 and FIG.46 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 47-FIG. 50 (theclamp operation is performed).

[0443] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0444] The set position for a fourteenth step is reached.

[0445] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0446] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0447] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0448] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 17 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 18.

[0449] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0450] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 29 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 30.

[0451] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 47-FIG. 50, in other words, the operation of displacing the diskplaying mechanism is not performed.

[0452] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0453] The set position for a fifteenth step is reached.

[0454] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0455] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0456] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0457] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0458] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0459] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0460] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 51 in which the lock mechanism locksthe disk playing mechanism 4000.

[0461] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0462] The set position for a sixteenth step is reached.

[0463] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0464] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0465] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0466] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0467] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0468] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0469] {circle over (7)} The lock mechanism of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 51 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 52.

[0470] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0471] The set position for a seventeenth step is reached.

[0472] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0473] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0474] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0475] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0476] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0477] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0478] {circle over (7)} The lock mechanism of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 52 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 53-FIG. 55.

[0479] The set position for a eighteenth step is reached.

[0480] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0481] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0482] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0483] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0484] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0485] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0486] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position showing the lock mechanism in FIG. 53-FIG. 55 and is set tothe position (state) as shown in FIG. 56-FIG. 59.

[0487] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0488] The set position for a nineteenth step is reached.

[0489] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0490] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0491] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0492] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0493] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0494] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0495] {circle over (7)} The lock mechanism of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 56-FIG. 59and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 60.

[0496] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0497] With the completion of the operation up to step 19, the diskplaying mode is commenced.

[0498] The above explanation concerned the insertion of a large diameterdisk, however the insertion of a small diameter disk will be explainedbelow.

[0499] The disk position determination mechanism 2000 in steps 1 to 3 isset to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 11. The disk positiondetermination mechanism 2000 in steps 4 to 7 is set to the position asshown in FIG. 12 from the position as shown in FIG. 11. After step 8,the mechanism is set to the position as shown in FIG. 15.

[0500] The disk support mechanism 3000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 25 from step 1 to step 4. During step 5, the positionchanges from that as shown in FIG. 25 to that as shown in FIG. 26.During step 6, the position (state) is set to that as shown in FIG. 24and continues up to step 9. During step 10, the position changes fromthat as shown in FIG. 24 to that as shown in FIG. 31. During step 11,the position changes from that as shown in FIG. 31 to that as shown inFIG. 32. During step 14, the position is set to that as shown in FIG.30. After step 14, the disk refuge mechanism continues to be set to theposition (state) t as shown in FIG. 30.

[0501] 7-2. Description from Disk Playing Operation to Disk EjectionOperation

[0502] Based on FIG. 100, each step (one process) performed from diskplaying to disk ejection will be described.

[0503] Firstly, when the device is in a disk playing state (first step),it is set to the same position (state) as the nineteenth step as shownin FIG. 99, in other words,

[0504] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism is set tothe position (state) as shown in FIG.4.

[0505] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[0506] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 22.

[0507] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 18.

[0508] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 15.

[0509] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

[0510] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 60.

[0511] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0512] The set position for a second step is reached.

[0513] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0514] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0515] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0516] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0517] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0518] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0519] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 60 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 56-FIG. 59.

[0520] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0521] The set position for a third step is reached.

[0522] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0523] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0524] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0525] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0526] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0527] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0528] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 56-FIG. 59and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 53-FIG. 55.

[0529] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0530] The set position for a fourth step is reached.

[0531] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0532] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0533] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0534] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0535] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0536] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0537] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 53-FIG. 55 and is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 52.

[0538] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0539] The set position for a fifth step is reached.

[0540] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0541] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0542] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0543] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0544] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0545] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0546] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 52 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 51.

[0547] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0548] The set position for a sixth step is reached.

[0549] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0550] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0551] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0552] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 101 is not performed.

[0553] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0554] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 30 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 29.

[0555] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 51, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

[0556] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0557] The set position for a seventh step is reached.

[0558] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0559] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0560] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0561] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0562] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0563] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0564] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 sets the clampmechanism to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 47-FIG. 50.

[0565] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0566] The set position for a eighth step is reached.

[0567] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0568] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0569] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0570] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0571] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0572] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0573] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 47-FIG. 50 and is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 44-FIG. 46.

[0574] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0575] The set position for a ninth step is reached.

[0576] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0577] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0578] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0579] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 18 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 17.

[0580] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0581] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 29 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 28.

[0582] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 44, FIG. 45 and FIG.46. The operation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is notperformed.

[0583] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0584] The set position for a tenth step is reached.

[0585] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0586] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0587] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0588] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0589] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0590] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 28, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0591] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 44 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 43.

[0592] {circle over (8)} The playing section of the mechanism diskloading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation of displacing the diskloading mechanism is not performed.

[0593] The set position for a eleventh step is reached.

[0594] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0595] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0596] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0597] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0598] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0599] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 28 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 27.

[0600] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 43 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42.

[0601] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0602] The set position for a twelfth step is reached.

[0603] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0604] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0605] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0606] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0607] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 15 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 14.

[0608] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0609] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0610] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0611] The set position for a thirteenth step is reached.

[0612] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 4 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 3.

[0613] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 15 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 10.

[0614] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0615] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0616] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 14 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 13.

[0617] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0618] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0619] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0620] The set position for a fourteenth step is reached.

[0621] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 3, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0622] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0623] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0624] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0625] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk position determination mechanism is not performed.

[0626] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 27 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 26.

[0627] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 42 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42a.

[0628] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0629] The set position for a fifteenth step is reached.

[0630] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 3 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0631] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0632] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 22 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 20.

[0633] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 17 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 16.

[0634] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk position determination mechanism is not performed.

[0635] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 26 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 25.

[0636] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 42a and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 37-FIG. 41.

[0637] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0638] The set position for a sixteenth step is reached.

[0639] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0640] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 10 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 9.

[0641] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 20, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0642] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter 2200 mechanism is not performed.

[0643] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk position determination mechanism is not performed.

[0644] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0645] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 37-FIG. 41, in other words, the operation of displacing the diskplaying mechanism is not performed.

[0646] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0647] The set position for a seventeenth step is reached.

[0648] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0649] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 9 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 8.

[0650] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 20, and is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 19.

[0651] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter 2200 mechanism is not performed.

[0652] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk position determination mechanism is not performed.

[0653] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0654] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 37-FIG. 41, in otherwords, the operation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is notperformed.

[0655] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0656] Finally the set position for an eighteenth step is reached.

[0657] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0658] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 8 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

[0659] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the drive motor of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 19, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0660] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

[0661] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk position determination mechanism is not performed.

[0662] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0663] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 37-FIG. 41, in otherwords, the operation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is notperformed.

[0664] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0665] With the completion of the operation up to the eighteenth step,the device reaches disk ejection mode.

[0666] In the above description, the operation for the insertion of alarge diameter disk was described whereas below the operation for asmall diameter disk will be described.

[0667] The disk position determination mechanism 2000 in steps 1-17 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 12 and is set to step 18 asshown in FIG. 1. The disk support mechanism 3000 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 30 from step 1 to step 5, during the step 6 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 32, during the step 9 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 31, during the step 11 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 24, during the step 14 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 26, during the step 15 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25, and this statecontinues up to step 18.

[0668] 7-3. Description of the Process of Switching a Fourth Disk BeingPlayed to a First Disk and Playing the First Disk

[0669] The operation of switching a fourth disk which is being played toa first disk which is loaded and playing the first disk will bedescribed in by each step (one process) based on FIG. 101.

[0670] First when the fourth disk is being played (step 1),

[0671] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4.

[0672] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000is set to the position as shown in FIG. 15.

[0673] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches the operation mode of the drive roller 101 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 22.

[0674] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 18.

[0675] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 15.

[0676] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

[0677] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 60, and the disk playing mechanism isfixed.

[0678] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67.

[0679] Thus the set position for step 2 is reached.

[0680] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0681] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position as shown in FIG. 15 in otherwords, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0682] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0683] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0684] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0685] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0686] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position shown in FIG. 60 to thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 56-FIG. 59.

[0687] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0688] Thus the set position for step 3 is reached.

[0689] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0690] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0691] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0692] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0693] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0694] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0695] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position shown in FIG. 56 to FIG. 59to the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 53-FIG. 55.

[0696] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0697] Thus the set position for step 4 is reached.

[0698] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0699] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0700] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0701] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0702] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0703] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0704] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position shown in FIG. 53 to FIG. 56to the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 52.

[0705] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0706] Thus the set position for step 5 is reached.

[0707] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0708] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0709] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0710] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0711] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0712] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0713] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 displaces from the position shown in FIG. 52 to thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 51.

[0714] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0715] Thus the set position for step 6 is reached.

[0716] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0717] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0718] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0719] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0720] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0721] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 displaces fromthe setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, to the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29.

[0722] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 51, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0723] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0724] Thus the set position for step 7 is reached

[0725] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0726] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0727] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0728] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0729] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0730] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0731] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position shown in FIG. 51 to the set position (state) shown in FIG.47-FIG. 50.

[0732] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0733] Thus the set position for step 8 is reached

[0734] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0735] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0736] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0737] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0738] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0739] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0740] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to theposition (state) shown in FIG. 44, the clamp is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 45 and FIG. 46.

[0741] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0742] Thus the set position for step 9 is reached

[0743] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0744] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0745] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0746] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is displaced fromthe position as shown in FIG. 18 and set to the position (state) shownin FIG. 17.

[0747] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0748] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 29 and set to the position (state)shown in FIG. 28.

[0749] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 44 to FIG. 46, in otherwords, the operation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is notperformed.

[0750] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0751] Thus the set position for step 10 is reached

[0752] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0753] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0754] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0755] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to theposition (state) shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0756] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0757] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 28 in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0758] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 is displaced from the position (state) shown in FIG. 44,and is set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 43.

[0759] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0760] Thus the set position for step 11 is reached

[0761] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0762] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0763] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0764] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0765] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0766] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 28, and is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 27.

[0767] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 is displaced from the position (state) shown in FIG. 43,and is set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 42.

[0768] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0769] Thus the set position for step 12 is reached

[0770] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isdisplaced from the position (state) shown in FIG. 4, and is set to theposition (state) shown in FIG. 5.

[0771] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0772] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0773] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0774] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0775] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0776] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0777] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 67, and is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 65.

[0778] Thus the set position for step 13 is reached

[0779] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 5, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0780] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0781] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0782] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0783] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0784] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0785] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0786] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 65, and is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 68.

[0787] Thus the set position for step 14 is reached

[0788] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 5, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0789] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0790] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0791] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0792] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0793] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0794] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

[0795] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 68, and is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 69.

[0796] Thus the set position for step 15 is reached

[0797] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isdisplaced from the position (state) as shown in FIG. 5, to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 6.

[0798] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0799] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0800] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0801] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0802] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0803] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0804] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 69, and is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 66 and FIG. 70.

[0805] Thus the set position for step 16 is reached

[0806] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 6, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0807] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0808] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0809] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0810] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0811] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0812] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0813] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 66 and FIG. 70, and is set tothe position (state) shown in FIG. 71.

[0814] Thus the set position for step 17 is reached

[0815] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 6, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0816] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0817] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0818] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0819] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0820] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 27, and is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 26.

[0821] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 is displaced from the position (state) shown in FIG. 42,and is set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 42a.

[0822] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 71, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0823] Thus the set position for step 18 is reached

[0824] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 6, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0825] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0826] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0827] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0828] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0829] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 26, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0830] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42a, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0831] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 71 to position (state) as shown inFIG. 72.

[0832] Thus the set position for step 19 is reached

[0833] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 6, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0834] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0835] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0836] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0837] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0838] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 26 to position (state) as shown inFIG. 27.

[0839] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG. 42a toposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42.

[0840] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 72, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

[0841] Thus the set position for step 20 is reached

[0842] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isdisplaced from the position as shown in FIG. 6 to position (state) asshown in FIG. 5.

[0843] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0844] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0845] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0846] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0847] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0848] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0849] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 72 to position (state) as shown inFIG. 65 and FIG. 73.

[0850] Thus the set position for step 21 is reached

[0851] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isdisplaced from the position as shown in FIG. 5 to position (state) asshown in FIG. 4.

[0852] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0853] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0854] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0855] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0856] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0857] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 42, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0858] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0859] Thus the set position for step 22 is reached

[0860] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0861] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0862] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0863] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0864] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0865] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0866] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG. 42 toposition (state) as shown in FIG. 43.

[0867] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0868] Thus the set position for step 23 is reached

[0869] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0870] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0871] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0872] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0873] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0874] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 27 to position (state) as shown inFIG. 28.

[0875] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG. 43 toposition (state) as shown in FIG. 44.

[0876] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0877] Thus the set position for step 24 is reached

[0878] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0879] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0880] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0881] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is displaced fromthe position as shown in FIG. 17 to set to the position as shown in FIG.18.

[0882] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0883] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 28 to position (state) as shown inFIG. 29.

[0884] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 44, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk playingmechanism is not performed.

[0885] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0886] Thus the set position for step 25 is reached

[0887] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0888] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0889] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0890] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0891] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0892] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0893] {circle over (7)} The playing section of the disk playingmechanism 4000 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG. 44 andthe clamp mechanism is set to a position (state) shown in FIG. 45 andFIG. 46.

[0894] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0895] Thus the set position for step 26 is reached

[0896] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0897] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0898] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0899] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0900] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0901] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0902] {circle over (7)} The clamp mechanism of the disk playingmechanism 4000 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG. 45 andFIG. 46 and is set to a position (state) shown in FIG. 47, FIG. 48, FIG.49 and FIG. 50.

[0903] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0904] Thus the set position for step 27 is reached

[0905] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0906] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0907] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0908] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0909] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0910] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29 to a position as shown inFIG. 30.

[0911] {circle over (7)} The clamp mechanism of the disk playingmechanism 4000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 47, FIG. 48, FIG. 49 and FIG. 50, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

[0912] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0913] Thus the set position for step 28 is reached

[0914] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0915] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0916] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0917] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0918] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0919] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0920] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) as shown in FIG. 47 to FIG. 50 and is set to aposition as shown in FIG. 51.

[0921] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0922] Thus the set position for step 29 is reached

[0923] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0924] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0925] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0926] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0927] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0928] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0929] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) as shown in FIG. 51 and is set to a positionas shown in FIG. 52.

[0930] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0931] Thus the set position for step 30 is reached.

[0932] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0933] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0934] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0935] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0936] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0937] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0938] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) as shown in FIG. 52 and is set to a positionas shown in FIG. 53, FIG. 54 and FIG. 55.

[0939] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0940] Thus the set position for step 31 is reached

[0941] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0942] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0943] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22, in other words, theoperation of displacing the drive roller switching mechanism is notperformed.

[0944] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, theoperation of displacing the shutter mechanism is not performed.

[0945] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

[0946] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk support mechanism is not performed.

[0947] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) as shown in FIG. 53, FIG. 54 and FIG. 55 andis set to a position as shown in FIG. 56, FIG. 57, FIG. 58 and FIG. 59.

[0948] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

[0949] On completion of operations up to step 30, the disk changeover(from the fourth disk to the first disk) which is to be played iscompleted.

[0950] The above description concerned the situation when the inserteddisk is a large diameter disk. The treatment of a small diameter diskwill be discussed below.

[0951] The disk position determination mechanism 2000 from after step 1up to step 31 is set in the position as shown in FIG. 15. The disksupport mechanism 3000 is set in the position (state) as shown in FIG.30 from step 1 to step 5, is set in the position (state) as shown inFIG. 32 from step 6 to step 8, is set in the position (state) as shownin FIG. 31 from step 9 to step 10, is set in the position (state) asshown in FIG. 24 from step 11 to step 16, is set in the position (state)as shown in FIG. 26 from step 17 to step 18, is set in the position(state) as shown in FIG. 24 from step 19 to step 22, is set in theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 31 in step 23, is set in the position(state) as shown in FIG. 32 from step 24 to step 26 and is set in theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30 after step 27 up to step 31.

[0952] 7.4 Description from a Ready Position in Which a Disk is Loadedin a Loading Position for a Fourth Disk to a Playing Operation of aLoaded First Disk

[0953] Based on FIG. 102, a command is given to store a fourth disk inthe disk loading mechanism. The disk is inserted in a state of readinessfor disk insertion and the disk is loaded in a loading position of thefourth disk. After this operation, a series of operations up to theplaying operation of a first disk loaded in the disk loading mechanismwill be described by each step (one process).

[0954] First when the fourth disk is being played (step 1),

[0955] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0956] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

[0957] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 19.

[0958] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 16.

[0959] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13.

[0960] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 25.

[0961] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 37, FIG. 38, FIG. 39, FIG. 40 and FIG.41.

[0962] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

[0963] Thus the set position for step 2 is reached.

[0964] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism is not performed.

[0965] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk position determinationmechanism is not performed.

[0966] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 19 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 21.

[0967] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is displaced fromthe position as shown in FIG. 16 to a position (state) as shown in FIG.17.

[0968] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 is set to a position as shown inFIG. 13.

[0969] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 25 to a position (state) as shown inFIG. 26.

[0970] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) as shown in FIG. 37, FIG. 38, FIG. 39, FIG. 40and FIG. 41 and is set to a position as shown in FIG. 42a.

[0971] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

[0972] Thus the set position for step 3 is reached.

[0973] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0974] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

[0975] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 21 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 19.

[0976] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is displaced fromthe position as shown in FIG. 16 to a position (state) as shown in FIG.17.

[0977] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues setting to a position asshown in FIG. 13.

[0978] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 26 to a position (state) as shown inFIG. 30.

[0979] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42a and is set to a positionas shown in FIG. 42b.

[0980] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

[0981] Thus the set position for step 4 is reached.

[0982] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isdisplaced from the position as shown in FIG. 2 to a position (state) asshown in FIG. 3.

[0983] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

[0984] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues setting to aposition as shown in FIG. 22.

[0985] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 17.

[0986] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues setting to a position(state) as shown in FIG. 13.

[0987] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

[0988] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[0989] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

[0990] Thus the set position for step 5 is reached.

[0991] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 3.

[0992] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000is displaced from a position as shown in FIG. 7 to a position (state) asshown in FIG. 8.

[0993] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues setting to aposition as shown in FIG. 22.

[0994] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 17.

[0995] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 is displaced from a position asshown in FIG. 13 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 14.

[0996] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

[0997] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[0998] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

[0999] Thus the set position for step 6 is reached.

[1000] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4 from the position shownin FIG. 3.

[1001] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000is displaced from a position as shown in FIG. 8 to a position (state) asshown in FIG. 15.

[1002] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues setting to aposition as shown in FIG. 22.

[1003] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 17.

[1004] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 is displaced from a position asshown in FIG. 114 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[1005] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

[1006] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[1007] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

[1008] Thus the set position for step 7 is reached.

[1009] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 5 from the position shownin FIG. 4.

[1010] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 15.

[1011] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues setting to aposition as shown in FIG. 22.

[1012] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 17.

[1013] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues setting to a position asshown in FIG. 15.

[1014] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

[1015] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[1016] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 from the position (state) shown inFIG. 92.

[1017] Thus the set position for step 8 is reached.

[1018] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 6 from the position shownin FIG. 5.

[1019] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 15.

[1020] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues setting to aposition as shown in FIG. 22.

[1021] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 17.

[1022] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues setting to a position asshown in FIG. 15.

[1023] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

[1024] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[1025] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 from the position (state) shown inFIG. 92.

[1026] Thus the set position for step 9 is reached.

[1027] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 6.

[1028] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 15.

[1029] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues setting to aposition as shown in FIG. 22.

[1030] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 17.

[1031] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues setting to a position asshown in FIG. 15.

[1032] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

[1033] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[1034] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 from the position (state) shown inFIG. 92.

[1035] Thus the set position for step 10 is reached.

[1036] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 6.

[1037] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 15.

[1038] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues setting to aposition as shown in FIG. 22.

[1039] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 17.

[1040] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues setting to a position asshown in FIG. 15.

[1041] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displaced tothe position (state) as shown in FIG. 26 from the position (state) asshown in FIG. 30.

[1042] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced tothe position (state) as shown in FIG. 42a from the position (state) asshown in FIG. 42b.

[1043] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced tothe position (state) as shown in FIG. 93 from the position (state) asshown in FIG. 66.

[1044] The operation after step 11 are the same as the operation afterstep 18 shown in FIG. 101 (for example step 11 shown in FIG. 102 is thesame as step 18 in FIG. 101, step 12 shown in FIG. 102 is the same asstep 19 in FIG. 101,) and further description will be omitted. Thedisplacement of each component will be described with reference to thenumerals shown in FIG. 102. In FIG. 101, the fourth disk is shown in thefigure, however during the operation in FIG. 102, it is noted that thefourth disk is not represented.

[1045] When the operation of the device up to step 24 is completed, theplaying operation of the first disk is initiated and a series ofoperations are completed.

[1046] The description above corresponds to a large diameter disk.however when applied to a small diameter disk, the 12 cm of the largeposition determination mechanism in {circle over (2)} is set to 8 cm,and the 12 cm disk support mechanism 12 cm is set to 8 cm.

[1047] 7.5 Description from the Playing Operation of the Fourth Disk toa Ready Position Loading a Disk in the Loading Position of the FirstDisk

[1048] The series of operation up to a ready state so store a disk in aloading position for a first disk during the playing operation of thefourth disk based on FIG. 103 will be described with reference tosequential steps.

[1049] First the operation from step 1 up to step 17 is the same as theoperation from step 1 to step 17 as shown in FIG. 101, such descriptionwill be omitted. For example step 1 shown in FIG. 103 is the same asstep 1 in FIG. 101, step 2 shown in FIG. 103 is the same as step 2 inFIG. 101 and further description will be omitted. The displacement ofeach component will be described with reference to the numerals shown inFIG. 103. In FIG. 101, the first disk is shown, however during theoperation in FIG. 103, it is noted that the first disk is notrepresented.

[1050] The description above corresponds to a large diameter disk.however when applied to a small diameter disk, the 12 cm of the largeposition determination mechanism in {circle over (2)} is set to 8 cm,and the 12 cm disk support mechanism 12 cm is set to 8 cm.

[1051] The set position in step 18 is set as follows.

[1052] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 6.

[1053] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[1054] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 21.

[1055] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

[1056] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[1057] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 26.

[1058] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42a.

[1059] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 90.

[1060] Thus the set position for step 19 is reached.

[1061] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 6.

[1062] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[1063] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 21.

[1064] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

[1065] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[1066] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displaced toa position as shown in FIG. 27 from a position (state) as shown in FIG.26.

[1067] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42a and is set to a positionas shown in FIG. 42b.

[1068] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 90.

[1069] Thus the set position for step 20 is reached.

[1070] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isdisplaced from the position (state) as shown in FIG. 6 and is set to aposition as shown in FIG. 5.

[1071] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[1072] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 21.

[1073] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

[1074] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[1075] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

[1076] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[1077] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displacedfrom the position (state) as shown in FIG. 90 and is set to a positionas shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

[1078] Thus the set position for step 21 is reached.

[1079] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isdisplaced from the position (state) as shown in FIG. 5 and is set to aposition as shown in FIG. 4.

[1080] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[1081] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 21.

[1082] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

[1083] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

[1084] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

[1085] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[1086] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

[1087] Thus the set position for step 22 is reached.

[1088] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 4.

[1089] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000is displaced from the position as shown in FIG. 15 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 8.

[1090] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 21.

[1091] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

[1092] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 15 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 14.

[1093] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

[1094] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[1095] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

[1096] Thus the set position for step 23 is reached.

[1097] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isdisplaced from the position as shown in FIG. 4 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 3.

[1098] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000is displaced from the position as shown in FIG. 8 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

[1099] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 21.

[1100] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

[1101] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 14 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 13.

[1102] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

[1103] +e,crc 7 The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

[1104] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

[1105] Thus the set position for step 24 is reached.

[1106] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 3.

[1107] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

[1108] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 22 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 21.

[1109] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

[1110] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13.

[1111] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 27 and is set to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 26.

[1112] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 42b and is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 42a.

[1113] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

[1114] Thus the set position for step 25 is reached.

[1115] {circle over (1)} The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 isdisplaced from the position as shown in FIG. 3 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 2.

[1116] {circle over (2)} The disk position determination mechanism 2000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

[1117] {circle over (3)} The drive roller switching mechanism whichswitches operational mode of the drive roller 101 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 212 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 19.

[1118] {circle over (4)} The shutter mechanism 2200 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

[1119] {circle over (5)} The switching mechanism 2300 in the diskposition determination mechanism 2000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13.

[1120] {circle over (6)} The disk support mechanism 3000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 26 and is set to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 25.

[1121] {circle over (7)} The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 42a and is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 37, FIG. 38, FIG. 39, FIG. 40, and FIG. 41.

[1122] {circle over (8)} The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

[1123] With the completion of operations up to step 25, the device is ina ready state for disk insertion to that a first disk may be loaded in aloading position for the first disk and a sequence of operations iscompleted.

[1124] Thus as shown above, since it is not necessary to use an abuttingoperation on the recording face of a disk when loading a disk due to thefact that a disk is loaded using an inner diameter of the disk, it ispossible to reduce damage in particular to the recorded face of the diskand increase device reliability.

[1125] Furthermore since any type of disk (for example, a 12 cm CD or a8 cm CD) may be handled irrespective of the size of the disk diameter,it is possible to increase user friendliness.

[1126] Since the axial center of the loading position of the disk andthe axial center of the playing position of the disk are aligned, theaxial center does not diverge and an operation to align the axial centerduring disk exchange operations or the like is unnecessary. As a result,it is possible to reduce processing time.

[1127] Since it is possible to handle any type of disk irrespective ofdisk diameter by constituting the disk playing mechanism with a rotatingtype of mechanism, user friendliness of the device is enhanced.

[1128] Even if there is an irregularity in the thickness of the disk dueto the biasing force of the plate spring member as a result of mountingthe plate spring member in the spacer of the disk loading mechanism, itis possible to reduce shaking and to improve device performance.

[1129] Even in positions in which a disk is not loaded in the spacer ofthe disk loading mechanism, it is possible to reduce shaking due to thebiasing force of the plate spring member as a result of mounting theplate spring member in the space of the disk loading mechanism and toimprove device reliability.

[1130] The provision of a stopper which is fixed at positions outsidethe rotational shaft of the disk playing mechanism allows the disk to besupported at two positions, namely, the rotation shaft and the stopperwhen the disk is played. Thus the performance of the anti-vibrationmechanism provided in the disk playing mechanism can be improved and itis possible to stabilize the playing of the disk and improve deviceperformance.

[1131] Since the axial center of the disk playing device and the axialcenter of the stopper which stops the disk playing mechanism during diskplaying operations are aligned, it is possible to minimize theoperational distance from the disk loading position to the disk playingposition, to reduce transfer time from the disk loading position to thedisk playing position and to reduce processing time in the device.

[1132] Since the gap with the spacer which is proximate to the spacer ofthe disk which is to be played is greater than the gap between spacerswhich are not proximate, it is possible to operate the disk supportmechanism when supporting the disk which is to be played and it ispossible to improve device reliability as a result.

[1133] Since the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is adapted to berefuged by the face of the projection during disk exchange, it ispossible to use the spacer normally setting the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism as a section of the spacer required during disk playing, thusenabling the downsizing of the device.

[1134] Since the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is adapted todisplace in the direction of disk insertion/ejection, it is possible todisplace the disk insertion/ejection mechanism to near a fixed diskposition when the device is in a ready state for disk insertion. Thus itis possible to insert a small diameter disk into the device in a stablemanner, that is to say, it is possible to insert a disk accurately intothe device irrespective of the type of disk diameter and thus to improvethe performance of the device.

[1135] Since respective disks may be freely inserted and ejectedindependently one by one, user friendliness is enhanced.

[1136] Embodiment 2

[1137] A second embodiment of the disk device of the present inventionwill be explained with reference to FIG. 98. In the first embodiment asdiscussed above, a gap was provided between respective grooves formedbetween the first guide member 5110 and the third guide member 5330 andthe size of this gap is adapted to differ. However an arrangement ofgaps formed at equal intervals as shown in FIG. 98 may be employed. Thusit is possible to increase the speed of the switching operation to eachmode, that is to say, it is possible to improve the processing speed ofthe device.

[1138] Embodiment 3

[1139] A third embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In thefirst embodiment as discussed above, the displacement of each componentwas described in each operational mode on the basis of FIG. 86 to FIG.88. The operation of each component set in the respective modes may berespectively synchronized, that is to say, that the displacementoperations may be linked. Since each component is synchronized in suchan arrangement, it is possible to increase the speed of the displacementoperations, to improve the reliability of the device and to reduceprocessing time.

[1140] Embodiment 4

[1141] A fourth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In thefirst embodiment as discussed above, the manner in which components areswitched during displacement operations in the progression ofoperational modes was not noted. However normally although the devicemay be adapted so that switching occurs gradually during switchedoperational modes, the same result may be obtained by switching whichoccurs collectively.

[1142] Embodiment 5

[1143] A fifth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In thefirst embodiment as discussed above, the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism 1000 comprised a disk biasing section 102 which functions as amechanism to grip the disk and which does not have a member for rotationwith the a drive roller 101 which drives rotation. However variation ofthe disk biasing section into a roller member is also possible and suchan arrangement allows the prevention of damage to the disk surface.

[1144] Embodiment 6

[1145] A sixth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In thefirst embodiment as discussed above, when a disk is inserted into thedevice, it has not been noted in which manner the operation is performedautomatically. However when a disk is inserted from the disk insertionmouth, the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 inserts the disk, thedisk support mechanism supports the disk, and the disk is set to beplayed by the disk playing mechanism. That is to say, the simpleinsertion of a disk results in the setting of the disk to be played.Such an arrangement increases user friendliness.

[1146] Embodiment 7

[1147] A seventh embodiment of the device will be discussed below. Ithas been noted that first to third retaining arms are provided on thedisk support mechanism 3000. However a corner of the groove formed onthe first to third retaining arms may be beveled. Such an arrangementprevents damage to the surface of the disk.

[1148] Embodiment 8

[1149] A eighth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In thesecond embodiment as discussed above, since the gap of each spacer whichsupports the disk has been placed closely together, disk movement due toexternal force or the like are reduced and the plate spring memberprovided in each spacer may be omitted. Thus it is possible to reducethe number of components and to reduce manufacturing costs. It has notbeen noted how the components of the device automatically performoperations on the insertion of a disk into the device.

[1150] Embodiment 9

[1151] A ninth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In thefirst embodiment as discussed above, a plate spring member is mounted inthe spacer section. However a pressure spring may be provided instead ofthe plate spring member and an equivalent effect obtained.

[1152] Embodiment 10

[1153] A tenth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In thefirst embodiment as discussed above, a retaining member for a reducedspace may be provided by a plate spring member which retains the innerdiameter of the disk on the engaging section of the spacer. Such anarrangement allows the strengthening of disk support and reduction inthe movement of the disk due to external forces or the like. Thus theplate spring member may be omitted and it is possible to downsize thedevice.

[1154] Embodiment 11

[1155] An eleventh embodiment of the device will be discussed below. Inthe first embodiment as discussed above, grooves were formed on thefirst guide member and third guide member which loosely fixe theprojection of the spacer and spacer. A plurality of three or more ofsuch grooves may be provided to prevent shaking of the spacer and theimprove the reliability of the device.

[1156] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[1157] As shown above, the disk device of the present invention isadapted for use as a disk device mounted in a vehicle with a reducedsize and adapted for each operation of loading a plurality of diskswithout the provision of a loading magazine, that is to say, perform theoperations of selectively inserting, ejecting and playing each disk.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disk device comprising: a disk playing section provided with a pickup reading recorded information on a disk and a rotatable turntable mounting a disk; a damper section supporting said disk playing section to float; a rotatable base section which disposes said disk playing section through said damper section and which forms an engaged section by an engaging action; and an engaging section which engages with an engaged section, wherein when said base section is rotated to a disk playing position, said engaged section is adapted to engage with said engaging section.
 2. The disk device according to claim 1 , wherein an engaging section is provided at a set position for disk playing operations and when a disk is played, a rotational center of the engaging section equals a rotational center of the turntable.
 3. The disk device according to claim 1 , wherein a refuge section is formed on the engaged section which refuges to a refuge position so that when a member other than the engagement member enters, contact is not made with the member. 